THE change in atmosphere at Huntington Stadium has been unreal. That is the verdict of Louise Ince, chairman of the York Rugby League Supporters' Club, one month into the new season.

Ince reckons the new club, York City Knights, have got off on the right footing and, although they are still awaiting their first victory in the Arriva Trains Cup, she believes success is not far away.

"The atmosphere has been absolutely brilliant," she told the Evening Press.

"It's the total opposite of what it was last season. Then there was no atmosphere but now it's great. Rather than have a dozen of us shouting, we've now got over a thousand shouting."

Crowds of 3,105 and 1,511 have attended the two matches at Huntington Stadium so far this season, and another big crowd is expected for tomorrow's visit of Dewsbury Rams.

"Everybody is buzzing," said Ince. "Everyone seems really happy and all the fans are confident that once the league season starts we're going to show what we can do."

All the Knights' ATC matches so far have been against Division One teams, as are tomorrow's opponents, and although the Knights are yet to break their duck, Ince has been happy with the performances.

"Generally it's a vast improvement from what we've seen in the past," she said, referring to the last few years of the now defunct York Wasps.

"All the players look like they want to play for York. They seem proud to put the York shirt on. We've got a lot of quality players and things are heading the right way."

LOUISE Ince, meanwhile, was re-elected as chairman of the York RL Supporters' Club at their meeting last week.

Ken Pearson remains treasurer, while, in a couple of changes, Dave Crosby replaces Michael Chatten as secretary and Mike Miller comes in as vice-chairman.

The rest of the committee is now made up of Michael Chatten, Dennis Hurst, Mark Hurst, Alan Moffat, Paul Cutler and new recruit Gary Hall.

YOUNGSTERS with Knights' face paint may soon be running around Huntington Stadium on match-days.

The club are seeking volunteers to do face painting as they continue their attempts to make match-days fun for all the family.

Balloon artists are also being sought, and anyone interested - or anyone who may know of someone - is asked to contact the club office on 01904 656105.

ANYONE phoning up the Knights' office might wonder why secretary Leanne Cooper sometimes puts on an Aussie accent.

The simple fact is she doesn't - rather the Knights have a new member of staff in Kylie Krause, the wife of scrum-half Trevor Krause. The couple jetted over from Australia to England before the start of the season, and it seems they are both committed to the Knights cause.

FANS are reminded that free buses from various areas of the city will again be put on for those travelling to York City Knights' match against Dewsbury Rams tomorrow (KO 3pm).

An extra service will be added, from the railway station, to coincide with a train coming from Dewsbury. Other pick-up points and times will remain the same, although the bus from Haxby Memorial Hall will also pick up from outside the Chinese restaurant near the railway crossing.

Buses, run by First, leave from:

Thanet Road Baths (departing 2pm); then Stonebow (2.15),

Corner House on Burton Stone Lane (2.00); then Lowther Street shops (2.15),

Haxby Memorial Hall opposite shops (2.15); then Chinese restaurant (2.20),

Railway station (2.20).

THE Knights are continuing to harbour good links with neighbouring football club York City.

As reported in chief sports writer Dave Stanford's York City column, 'Dave's Diary', today, a fundraising link-up between the two clubs is set to go ahead next month in the shape of a sporting debate featuring a host of York rugby and football stars.

The event - in which Knights chief executive Steve Ferres and player-coach Paul Broadbent will be among those taking part - will be held at York Acorn ARLC, in Thanet Road, on Thursday, March 27. All proceeds from the night will be split between the two professional clubs.

For further information, including ticket and contact details, see Dave's Diary, on Page 42.

The Knights have already got good relations with City, especially with the football club's Supporters' Trust. For example, the Trust helped the Knights when they were starting out, both financially and with advice, and in return the Knights gave the Trust a cut of the gate receipts from the opening day match against Hull KR, to help in their bid to 'Save City'.

Updated: 10:31 Saturday, February 22, 2003