THERE was little sign of what was to come when York City Knights' 2005 season began with a new club record 52-2 defeat at former Super League club Castleford.

A big yet otherwise unconvincing 34-6 victory over Hunslet kick-started the year, but that proved the only triumph of a Northern Rail Cup campaign which bore little resemblance to last year's exciting run to the semi-finals.

First division Featherstone, memorably conquered four times by Richard Agar's side last season, were run close again and then held to a draw at home, while the Knights put up a decent show in the return against Cas, but there was otherwise little to cheer, with the group games ending on a particularly low note and defeat in a truly awful game at Hunslet - ironically the scene of absolute elation some five months later.

Many fans were not too downhearted - most reckoned last year's taxing cup runs had hindered the team in their quest for automatic promotion - but they nevertheless entered the National League campaign with several misgivings.

Turn for the worse
Things immediately became more downbeat as Mick Cook's men kicked off with a 34-18 home loss to Swinton, whose showing, plus their Cup results, suggested they could go all the way.

The Knights, on the other hand, had won just one game in seven under Cook, barring the Challenge Cup defeat of amateurs Elland, and the amount of trepidation on the terraces grew.

Cook, however, remained unmoved and quietly confident. His tactic of chopping and changing his team over this early part of the year earned him a Tinkerman' tag - something he never bothered to shake off - but while it drew criticism from some quarters, it proved wise over time as his players remained fresh and fired-up throughout the long eight-month season.

The Knights' campaign nonetheless needed to be ignited quickly - and the next two games did just that.

Thrillers ignite year
A thrilling Challenge Cup win at NL1 side Oldham proved the Knights had what was needed, but it was the league match at Keighley the following week that really changed the course of their entire year.

They trailed 31-12 with just 19 minutes left but remarkably, with the kind of comeback fans were to become accustomed to, won 42-31 thanks to a six-try blitz, assisted by the sending-off of Cougars full-back Matt Bramald for a high tackle on Adam Sullivan.

The performance of Sullivan that April day was immense and the prop's form throughout the first half of the season was key to the Knights' success - and brought him three consecutive Player of the Month awards as voted for by Evening Press readers and, ultimately, the Press/Collier Plant Hire Player of the Year accolade.

With belief in the camp reinvigorated and excitement renewed among supporters, Sheffield were comprehensively seen off before the visit of big-spending Dewsbury - many pundits' title favourites - to Huntington Stadium.

Stuff of dreams
What followed was the stuff of dreams as the unbeaten Rams were dispatched 74-12, a freak result which not only had the fans walking on air but also lifted the team to the top of the table.

A trip to St Helens in the Challenge Cup provided a grand night out and, with pride intact - and in fact boosted - despite a 62-0 defeat, the Knights maintained their winning league form to consolidate top spot.

Some victories - like that away to Gateshead and at home to Hunslet courtesy of Chris Levy's late drop goal - proved Cook's men had an ability to grind out results without hitting the heights, as well as the character to win games at the death.

It might not have been pretty, nor at times as expressive as Richard Agar's tactics the previous season, but the Knights of yesteryear lost games like these.

Furthermore, the loud and proud fans were enjoying it no less given the club's average attendance of 1,986 - which was bigger than last season and nearly twice as big as the next club in NL2.

Still criticism
Cook, and most notably half-backs Paul Thorman and Levy, still came in for criticism, often unfairly, for executing a game-plan which, if not as dynamic or off-the-cuff as that of last year - as underscored by the eye-catching form of Hull-bound Danny Brough and Players' Player of the Year Scott Rhodes - proved highly successful and consistently triumphant.

A big home win over Blackpool and a solid victory at London Skolars made it eight league victories on the bounce before the late June trip to Workington.

Town had gone over a year without defeat at home and that was not to change as they put on arguably their best performance of the season - and the best display against York by any team in the campaign - to win 44-28.

Title credentials
Fears that a dip in form would follow were unfounded as Keighley were seen off before a vital win at Swinton avenged the opening-day defeat and gave more evidence of York's title credentials.

The Lions' form, meanwhile, had already tailed off in the immediate aftermath of a hiding by Hull KR in the Northern Rail Cup quarter-finals - coincidentally the same thing that befell the Knights last season when three consecutive league defeats following their semi-final loss to the Robins effectively ended their title hopes - and their challenge waned.

The Knights' home game against Gateshead was a scary affair. Thunder fought back from way behind to draw level before a last-minute drop-goal by Tynesider Thorman stole the points for York against his former club.

But this and the away game at Dewsbury the next week proved just how much steel was instilled in Cook's team.

The big one
 The Rams had recovered from their Huntington hammering to remain within a point of York at the top and pundits had this down as a potential title decider.

Dewsbury led 14-0 at half-time but York fought back to level and, after late drop goals were traded, a last-minute Chris Ross penalty and stoppage-time Dan Potter try brought York a truly thrilling victory in the NL2 game of the season.

The Rams, struggling to recover from the blow, lost the next week at Sheffield while York upped the gap at the top to five points with four games to go with an easy win at Blackpool.

Another straightforward victory over the Skolars followed, meaning the August 21 trip to Hunslet was potentially the one that sealed the title.

The crown clincher
 Defeat in the stinker at South Leeds Stadium in the Northern Rail Cup was one of the lowest points of the Knights' three-year existence - this one couldn't have been more different.

Hunslet again outplayed York in the first half to build up a 22-0 lead but, as has been their wont several times this year, the Knights dug deep to effect perhaps their best comeback yet and win 24-22 with a late penalty from Lee Paterson, who was only given kicking duties after injuries to the regular goal-kickers in what was a brutal encounter.

Hunslet then had a try disallowed in seven minutes of unbearable stoppage time before the hooter sounded to signal wild celebrations (and, unfortunately a minor punch-up) at the end of a thrilling blood and thunder battle.

Battered and bruised, the Knights were champions in the truest sense and a rousing reception from another huge travelling army helped them enjoy it. A few sore heads in the morning was further proof of the club's achievement.

A cardboard cut-out trophy was held aloft in those celebrations, but the real thing was presented after the following home game against Workington, for which retiring York stalwart Mick Ramsden was made captain for the day.

Ironically, the tables were turned for once as the Knights, so often the comeback kings, were turned over by a late fight-back as Town completed a league double over the champions. Nonetheless, minds quickly turned to a magical trophy presentation on the Huntington Stadium pitch.

Grand finale
 The Knights' season ended on a Friday night in Sheffield, where the curtain was brought down on the illustrious career of former Great Britain hooker Lee Jackson, who was named captain for the day against his former club and fittingly scored the final points of York's season, converting a late try in a comfortable win.

The following day, the city lauded the Knights with a memorable victory parade and civic reception at the Lord Mayor of York's residence.