MARK APPLEGARTH says returning to York City Knights was an opportunity “too good to miss” - and a “forward step” despite coming down a division.

In his first interview since agreeing to become new boss James Ford’s player/assistant-coach, Applegarth insists York will be an exciting place to play in the next few years given the club’s new training facilities, along with the temporary switch to York City’s Bootham Crescent and then the move to the new stadium.

And he reckons the squad being assembled by Ford will be able to emulate the Championship One table-topping achievements of Gary Thornton’s team this season - and go one better by gaining promotion.

The 29-year-old became a firm fans’ favourite in his previous spell at York, which comprised 65 appearances between 2008 and 2010 and a Press Player of the Year accolade in 2009. He has since had spells in Australia and with Batley Bulldogs in the Championship.

Asked if dropping into the third tier was a concern, he said: “In an ideal world I’d like to stay in the Championship, but I see this as a step forward not a step backward.

“All being well, we can do the same as Gary and James did this year and get to the top of the league and hopefully this year get a different outcome at the end of it.

“From my point of view, it was too good an opportunity to miss. I rate James as a coach, there’s a good chairman in John Guildford and I really believe York are a sleeping giant. The amount of scope there is unbelievable.

“The facilities there now are second to none and, with the new stadium on the horizon, this will be an exciting place to be in the next few years.”

Ford is to embark on his maiden season in a top job after being promoted from player/assistant-coach. Applegarth is also taking his first club coaching position - aside from his role alongside Ford at Wakefield College’s rugby league development centre - but he has no qualms about their rookie status.

“Obviously James has taken the head coach role and, working with him at Wakefield College, I saw how much planning he put into last year in terms of session planning and preparation,” he said.

“I was given the opportunity to come and join him - and it’s one I couldn’t turn down.

“I feel pretty confident that, with James at the helm and with the amount he puts into his work, I will learn a lot off him. He will be a top coach and I hope to contribute to his success and York’s success.

“It’s also killing two birds with one stone - to get a foot on the coaching ladder and, from a playing point of view, to play for a good club and get good coaching myself, and hopefully be successful.

“With the players the club are signing and keeping on, the potential in this team is scary.

“I saw a lot of videos last year through doing reviews with James - he showed me clips of certain players - and we’re in agreement there’s a lot of talent there.

“There was also a lot of interest in these players (from other clubs) and it will be interesting to see them up close in training.”

As for 2015 aims, he said: “James, John Guildford and myself will have our own thoughts on where we see the club. Personally, from a playing point of view - as any player will tell you - I want to win games and win the league.

“I had some happy times when I was last at York and some not so happy times. I want to give the best I’ve got and hopefully help others to do the same. I have high goals myself and I’m sure the team will have high goals and high standards set.”