YORK City Knights' squad has been decimated by the shock departure of three first-teamers.

The Evening Press can reveal that Gareth Lloyd, Darren Robinson and Chris Beever all left the club last week in the run-up to yesterday's National League Two clash at leaders Keighley Cougars.

This left player-coach Paul Broadbent with a thin squad to choose from, with Graeme Hallas on the bench despite not being 100 per cent fit.

The departures of Lloyd and Robinson in particular were shrouded in controversy, with question marks over both players' attitude.

The Press also believes Robinson, who only signed from Rochdale Hornets in February, caused dressing-room disharmony.

Broadbent would not comment on those claims but confirmed there had been disciplinary problems, saying: "He had not performed in a couple of games and there has also been a couple of disciplinary issues that have caused a problem."

Former York Acorn and Wasps centre Lloyd arrived at the Knights in pre-season with both Broadbent and chief executive Steve Ferres warning at the time that if his commitment ever came under fire he would be shown the door.

Broadbent today said: "Gareth Lloyd was not too happy to be left out last week and he came in and said he had got interest from another club.

"If somebody has made their mind up that another club is interested then their heart is not in it here."

It is believed National League One outfit Doncaster Dragons, another of Lloyd's former clubs, are the outfit interested in re-signing a player who had figured in all but three of the Knights' games this season before his exit.

Robinson, meanwhile, has been linked with the Knights' fellow Division Two side Swinton Lions.

After starting in the senior side, Beever, has struggled to get into the first-team picture in recent weeks and has left apparently to go on a trip around the world with his girlfriend.

Broadbent added: "If he's not committed to the cause then there is no point the player being on board."

Updated: 11:05 Monday, May 12, 2003