NEW club captain Pat Smith reckons York City Knights’ troubled pre-season is creating a backs-to-the-wall attitude that will stand the team in good stead - and he insists their pride in representing the city remains unbowed.

The 24-year-old from Dringhouses, a Championship One Player of the Year nominee in 2014, has been following with obvious interest the problematic community stadium saga, which has presently left the Knights without a ground or training base.

But, while he feels unqualified to comment on the impasse, he has reiterated coach James Ford’s claim that the adversity is bringing the new-look squad closer together as they gear up for 2015. He has also backed chairman John Guildford in “fighting the club’s corner”.

“It’s gone on a lot longer than it needs to,” said Smith of the saga.

“I don’t know enough about it to make any valid comment. All I can comment on is what I’m experienc - ing, and that’s that we’re working hard and deserve a place to play.

“We’re all gunning to do well for this city. We have a great set of lads and we’re not asking for anything unreasonable - we want to play rugby and to represent this city.

“It is in the back of your mind.

I’m very passionate about the club and the people around the club, and all this takes away certainty about the future.

“I want York City Knights to be good, to grow, to be successful and, obviously, without a home you’re going to struggle.”

The impasse came after the Knights’ lease of the council-owned Huntington Stadium was ended so the ground could be redeveloped to house both the rugby club and York City, a scheme largely paid for by a nearby retail development.

The plan was for the Knights to share City’s Bootham Crescent home until the community stadium was built, but City of York Council have since offered the Knights only a two-year tenure there, regardless of whether the new arena is ready.

That offer was rejected for fear of future homelessness and the council has now pulled out of negotiations completely, citing a legal dispute with Guildford.

In turn that means the Knights have not been able to train at York St John University’s facility, as had been agreed as part of the scheme.

“Training has still been good,”

said Smith. “It’s been disrupted, there’s no doubt about that - we’ve been at Castleford Tigers one day, Manor School the next, there’s sessions at Wetherby now as well.

“It’s a tough time but it’s making us a tighter-knit group. If you’re backed into a corner, you come out fighting together - that’s what it feels like.

York Press:

PASSION PLAY: Pat Smith shows what it means for him to represent hometown York City Knights

“It’s ‘us against them’ and, although we’re not sure who the ‘them’ are, this situation is bringing us together.

“We’re enjoying it and we’re getting the work done. We had a session against Wakefield and we held our own.

“We haven’t had much time together on the field doing 13-a-side stuff, so that was good.”

Smith added: “John Guildford gets a bad rap from some people at times but he’s got the club’s best interests at heart. He’s fighting our corner and that’s important.

“Everyone is trying to get things right. Once things are right, hopefully it will be water under the bridge. Until then, we are where we are.”

Smith, a former Hull FC youngster, was the supporters’ player of the year last season in his debut campaign at his home-town club, having joined from then Championship champions Sheffield. He now says he cannot imagine playing for anyone else - despite the recent strife.

“I’ve personally got so many reasons to play for York,” he said.

“I grew up in York, I watched York play - people like Danny Brough and Rammo (Mick Ramsden) - and I’m proud to represent this club.

“There’s a great set of lads here and I love playing alongside my brother (Ed).

“This club is important to me and to a lot of people. It’s more than just a game of rugby at the weekend. I’m sure Ed would reiterate that as well.”

Smith is optimistic the friendly against his former club, Hull, scheduled for Bootham Crescent on January 11, will go ahead, even though City say it is now unlikely.

“There’s no better gauge of how you’re progressing than when there’s 13 blokes in front of you,” he said.

“It’s really important to play these games, whether it’s to knock us down a peg or two or to give ourselves a pat on the back.

“We’re preparing for the game and looking forward to it.”