CHAIRMAN Roger Dixon was hopeful York City Knights' latest accolades would act as a foundation for a successful first foray in LHF National League One.

Mick Cook was last night named NL2 Coach of the Year after leading his side to the title in his debut season, while five of his charges were selected for the division's "dream team" - a record number for any club since the two-tier National League was formed three years ago.

The awards were handed out at a plush dinner at Elland Road, where Dixon said: "I'm delighted Mick's outstanding achievements have been recognised and equally proud the club should have five of its squad in the All Stars team.

"It's testament to the progress that has been made so far and hopefully will serve as a foundation for the progress we shall need to make in NL1."

Cook reckoned his award - to which he pipped York-based Gateshead coach Dean Thomas and Hunslet's Roy Sampson - was credit to the entire club.

"It's nice to pick up gongs but we've a team of players, coaching staff, conditioning staff and backroom staff and it's for all of them," he said. "Everybody has been a part of it, from the directors to the fans, who have all given us great support. It's been a real club effort."

Loose-forward Lee Paterson, York's Players' Player of the Year, was one of three short-listed for the NL2 Player of the Season gong but that went to Workington's John Tuimaualuga.

Nevertheless, the York-born star made the NL2 Team of the Year alongside club-mates Dan Potter and Neil Law, both at centre, record try-scoring winger Peter Fox and prop Adam Sullivan, the Evening Press/Collier Plant Hire Player of the Year.

Paterson said: "I'm not too disappointed to miss out because with the amount of good players in the division I was surprised to get nominated. It would have been brilliant to win but to get the recognition of being in the top three was pretty good.

"Having five players in the 'dream team', as well as Mick Cook's award, shows what effort the team has put in this year and how well the club is doing."

Award-winners

NL1 Players' Player of the Year: Andy Raleigh (Hull KR); NL1 Player of the Year: Andy Raleigh (Hull KR); NL2 Player of the Year: John Tuimaualuga (Workington); NL1 Young Player of the Year: Andy Kain (Castleford); NL2 Young Player of the Year: Phil Joseph (Swinton).

NL1 Coach of the Year: Steve McCormack (Whitehaven); NL2 Coach of the Year: Mick Cook (Knights).

Community Club of the Year: Workington.

Club of the Year: Hull KR.

NL1 All Stars Team: Broadbent, Calvert (both Whitehaven), Goddard (Oldham), Nanyn (Whitehaven), Pryce, Kain (both Castleford), Webster, Aizue (both Hull KR), Fisher (Halifax), Tandy (Whitehaven), Raleigh (Hull KR), Crouch (Castleford), Weisner (Halifax).

NL2 All Stars Team: English (Swinton), Fox, Potter, Law (all Knights), Billy, Marsh (both Swinton), Birch (Gateshead), Murgatroyd (Keighley), Joseph (Swinton), Sullivan (Knights), Tuimaualuga (Workington), Jowitt (Dewsbury), Paterson (Knights).

Updated: 11:05 Wednesday, October 05, 2005