YORK City Knights are setting up a new ex-players’ organisation which they hope will increase interaction with the club.

The York Rugby League X Club, which is open to all players, coaches and staff in the entire history of York RL in its various guises, not least those from the 11 years of the Knights, will run alongside the long-standing York RL Ex-Players’ Association.

Knights chairman John Guildford said the aim was to bring the old boys together more, add new features such as a Facebook page with old stories and photos, and increase links between ex-players and the current Huntington Stadium outfit.

The Ex-Players’ Association, originally set up by old players rather than the club, will continue as a separate entity. Their annual lunch raises funds which are donated to the city’s junior clubs.

One of the aims of the new X Club is likewise to raise funds for the Knights Foundation, as well as to bring members together, “carrying on, and making new, friendships”.

Guildford said: “It’s about bringing the community together as much as anything. It’s a way for the former players to keep in touch with each other – which a lot of them do anyway – and with the club.“These lads, be they from the old club or from the Knights, are part of York history when all’s said and done. We should try to keep them very much linked with the club.

“We need to have more get-togethers, golf days, dinners and things like that, and to invite them to special events.

“The Ex-Players’ Association do good stuff. We’re just looking to freshen things up a bit and build new interest.”

Guildford wants to form a committee to head the new X Club, hopefully with the Ex-Players’ Association represented.

Anyone interested is asked to contact Guildford at the Knights on 01904 767404. Details can also be found by looking up York Rugby League X Club on Facebook.

Ex-Players’ Association chairman Dave Rippon said: “We wish them well.”