PAUL Broadbent reckons York City Knights can only go from strength to strength.

The former Great Britain prop, who resigned as player-boss yesterday one year after being installed as the fledgling club's first coach, believes the foundations have now been laid on which the Knights can build to become a major force throughout rugby league.

"That first year was always going to be difficult to get the credibility to get people on board," he told the Evening. "But the club has done that, it has established itself and I can tell when I talk to people in the game that the Knights are held in high regard.

"People are saying it's a good set-up, there's a good atmosphere about the place and that is something that will attract people and players.

"Everything is there and now the club can start to push on and achieve great things."

He added: "Steve Ferres (Knights chief executive) is shrewd enough, he's been in the game a long time and knows his stuff. Whoever he gets in charge will be able to take the club forward and, with the continued support of the York public, the team can push on."

Updated: 11:36 Thursday, September 18, 2003