BARNSTORMING prop Craig Forsyth believes he has made the right decision in moving down a division to join York City Knights.

The former Heworth and York Wasps front-rower signed from Doncaster last week and, although he has stepped down from National League One to Two, he reckons the future is brighter at his home-town club.

The 32-year-old has also revealed he was being chased by other National League clubs, including Division One outfits, before he decided to return to Huntington Stadium.

He told the Evening Press: "I've seen in the one week I've been at York that with the professionalism they've got here it's not like coming down a division, it's more like going up a division.

"They're doing a lot of stuff off the field to improve games and I think the win on Sunday (40-2 at home to Swinton Lions) is a good benchmark for how far they've come this season."

Forsyth also revealed one of the reasons why he joined the Knights was to help him avoid fast food and stay healthier.

He explained: "Between York and Doncaster there are a couple of Burger Kings and McDonalds and I couldn't help stopping to get something to eat. It's true. It was hard to travel down to training on an evening then come back up and then have to make something to eat."

Forsyth, previously a regular in the Dragons pack, had only played once in their last six games, which played a part in his decision to leave.

"I really enjoyed it at Doncaster and did not want to go but the situation was becoming untenable and I'd had enough," he said. "They've been alright with me and have wished me well and I have wished them all the best too. They're a good bunch of lads.

"But I'm happy I'm now at York. The travelling issue was one of the reasons why I chose York, and talking to (Knights chief executive) Steve Ferres also persuaded me.

"I could see the Knights are not a club who are just playing the game and ambling through rugby league. They want to progress, they want to get in the First Division and they are not going to just wait for it to happen, they're going to push forward and make it happen.

"Then when I went training with them, there was a lot of professionalism and enjoyment in it, and that was the deciding factor."

He added: "It's certainly a lot, lot better now than when it was the Wasps. If it had been anything like the Wasps I would not have come back but this is totally different."

Updated: 09:59 Thursday, June 05, 2003