YORK City Knights' home fixture against South Wales Scorpions on Friday night will take place 31 miles outside of York at Featherstone Rovers' Big Fellas Stadium, it has been confirmed.

York RUFC's Clifton Park has hosted the Knights' two competitive home games so far this season but the club needed special dispensation from Rugby Football League chiefs to play there as it did not meet league standards.

However, Friday night's game cannot be held there as its pitch is being re-seeded, and, with the club still sidelined from the community stadium project by City of York Council, they have had to take the match out of the city.

They are, however, putting on free buses for supporters to get to the Kingstone Press League One clash, which will kick off at 8pm, with turnstiles opening at 7.15pm.

The Knights' former Huntington Stadium home has been closed for rugby ahead of a major redevelopment and the plan was to see the team play fixtures at York City's Bootham Crescent ground before both clubs moved into the new arena next year. However, in a long-running and controversial saga, no agreement has been reached between the council's stadium team and club chiefs, leaving coach James Ford's men without a ground or training base for the past six months.

Their two "home" pre-season fixtures were played at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium and Featherstone RUFC, and they have since been fortunate with cup draws giving them away ties, meaning they have up to now had only the two previous competitive home games.

A statement from the Knights said: "The club was trying all it could to have this fixture played at Bootham Crescent but several issues including the need for a revised safety certificate have prevented Bootham Crescent being available.

"After last Friday night’s impressive performance against St Helens (in the Challenge Cup), James Ford’s men can hopefully kick on and concentrate on league success."

The free buses are for season ticket holders and fans with pre-booked tickets. Supporters need to book spaces by phoning the club office on 01904 767404.

Buses will leave the monument outside Cedar Court Hotel at 5.45pm and 6.15pm.

Admission prices on the nights are £15 for adults, £12 for concessions and £5 for under-16s.