YORK City Knights home-boys Darren Callaghan and Mark Cain have spoken of their joy at signing up for another year at Huntington Stadium.

The York-born and bred duo told the Evening Press they had little hesitation in staying with their home town team, and they were now gearing up for another year of success with the newly-crowned National League Club of the Year.

"It's all good," said Callaghan. "There's going to be big things next year. We just missed out (on promotion) this year with the injuries taking their toll, but with the support we've got and the way things are looking, it will hopefully be a big season.

"As a York lad, you love playing in front of your own crowd. You get a buzz when you run out in front of them and I'm happy to be on board."

Cain had been the first player to join the Knights' crusade last season - receiving due praise for the being the first to bite the bullet with the new club - and he was delighted to put pen to paper again.

"After this year's success and after seeing how successfully it was run behind the scenes, I wanted to be part of something that is going to be special," he said.

"The feeling around the club is great and things are looking good for next year."

Cain also expected good things from new coach Richard Agar, with whom he played during a spell at Ram Stadium.

"I was at Dewsbury with him and I can imagine him being quite a technical type of coach who knows his stuff," said Cain.

"He will bring a good footballing style to the club and he can bring the best out of (half-backs) Danny Brough and Scott Rhodes with his own experience as a quality half-back, and that can only bode well for the rest of the lads running off them."

Agar himself was glad to have them on board. "They've shown the right attitude and commitment and signing them up proved to be pretty easy," he said.

"They are both up for the fight and are very keen to get on the bus which, from my point of view, is really pleasing. They want to be part of the club because they feel they're in for a good year."

Agar said he was lining up Callaghan for a back-row role, while Cain has proved he can play almost anywhere on the field.

"Both players possess great utility value and can play in the backs or forwards and in a smallish squad it's going to be vital that players can adapt to different roles," he added.

Updated: 11:05 Saturday, October 04, 2003