MICK RAMSDEN reckons winning the play-offs is a better way to go up than through automatic promotion - and he believes York City Knights have the big-game hunters to celebrate such success come October 5.

Knights stalwart Ramsden ended his playing career in 2005 after helping his home-town club to the National League Two title, which then brought straight promotion.

He was also on Dave Woods’ back-room staff in 2010 when York went up to the Championship through the play-offs, turning the tables on favourites Oldham in the Grand Final after finishing third in the table. Hunslet had gone up as champions.

Having sampled elevation both ways, he reckons play-off success brings greater thrills - something he will be telling this year’s team as they look to win out both ways having finished top of the table.

“People say we should be up already because we finished top,” he said, referring to the Rugby Football League’s decision to give this year’s sole promotion spot to the Grand Final winners, not the league winners.

“But we knew the rules before the season started. We knew it was about the play-offs.

“The thing is, winning the Grand Final as a one-off occasion is fantastic.

“For me personally, 2005 probably gave me the biggest buzz because it was a fantastic way to finish playing. To end on a high like that was just brilliant.

“But to do it through that one-off game - that’s probably even better than going up automatically.

“As long as we do it.”

Ramsden knows full well the Knights face a huge few weeks, far more important that what’s gone before this season.

But he also reckons the team, having endured relegation from the Championship last year, deserve praise aplenty for what they have achieved so far.

“The players deserve what they’ve got,” he said of their title trophy, which was sealed by a 38-28 win over London Skolars last Sunday, albeit in an indifferent performance.

“After the disappointment of last year, especially for the lads who were here, this is reward for the efforts that they’ve put in.

“Last year one or two maybe weren’t quite ready for that league. But the way they’ve worked hard and improved their game has been excellent.

“The players we’ve brought in have been the right kind of players as well. The way they go about their work has been right and they have all fitted in well.

“Obviously the job is not done and there is a lot of work to be done to get promotion.

“Winning the league was just one stepping stone. We enjoyed it, but we’ve got on with things getting ready for the next few weeks.

“I still think winning the league is a good achievement. Finishing top is also important because of the strong position it gives you in the play-offs.”

The Knights will host Oldham in the qualifying semi-final at Huntington Stadium next Sunday, after they beat Hunslet 25-24 in the first play-off on Friday night.

The victors next week go through to the Grand Final on October 5, with the losers getting another chance in the elimination semi-final next weekend.

The Knights bounced back from a 31-30 defeat at Oldham to thrash the Roughyeds 54-12 at home.

Ramsden reckons those results show his side have big-game players.

Sid the 42-year-old, who has recently achieved a Level 3 coaching badge, the second highest qualification available: “This team can play in big games, as we’ve showed against Oldham in the league.

“Our side is stronger now than at the start of the season.

“We definitely have Grand Final-winning potential - we just have to play to that potential. We’re confident - how can we not be?”