SEASONED York City Knights star Mick Ramsden has signed a new contract with the club to take him into a 13th year at professional level.

The Knights have also agreed a deal for next term with Australian centre Mark Stewart, who impressed at the end of this season after moving to Huntington Stadium in August.

As revealed in the Evening Press yesterday, 31-year-old Ramsden had declared his eagerness to continue his long career following the success of the Knights' maiden season.

No sooner had the story appeared in print than the former York All Blacks amateur was signing a new one-year deal at Huntington Stadium.

"I wanted to sign and I'm really pleased," the second-row stalwart said today, enthusing at the vibrancy of the newly-crowned National League Club of the Year.

"Things are looking good. There's a lot of effort going in at the club. I was in the office for a short while yesterday and the phone is constantly ringing. It's a really busy office and that's a good sign."

The ever-reliable Ramsden played in all but three of the Knights' 31 matches last season and is aiming for improvement next season for both himself and the team, following their fourth-placed finish and play-off defeat in National League Two.

"We will look to continue from where we left off this season," he said. "For me personally, I'm going to look to have a really good, strong off-season over the winter, get a bit of muscle weight and push on and look to play even better next season.

"I'm really pleased to be part of it all and hopefully we can keep improving."

Stewart, snapped up on the advice of contacts down under shortly before the transfer deadline, proved a hit in his four games with the club, scoring two vital tries in the stunning win over Chorley.

The 23-year-old former Cronulla Sharks reserve, who has dual nationality due to British parents and therefore does not affect the overseas quota, had declared his desire to win a contract with the Knights, and chief executive Steve Ferres today confirmed he had been signed up.

"Mark came to us late in the season after a long trip round Europe and his fitness levels were probably not like he had been used to," explained Ferres.

"But he jumped in and did us a good job and it would be fair to say both Mark and ourselves believe there is more in him. Hopefully, we will get that next season."

As for Ramsden, Ferres added: "Mick's a model professional. He gave 100 per cent to the cause this season and we believe he will give the same next season.

"He's an integral part of what we've done so far and what we will do next year, and we're delighted to have him on board again."

Updated: 10:54 Friday, October 03, 2003