“YES they will be upset and frustrated. But they will still be outstanding at training and this weekend they’ll look forward to ripping into Doncaster wherever we play.”

So declared James Ford of his York City Knights troops ahead of Sunday’s scheduled Super 8s opener - despite the game being put in doubt by the latest rumpus over their use of Bootham Crescent.

Ford made the most of a backs-to-the-wall mentality last season as his team came within a whisker of the League One grand final despite a year of off-field strife - and he reckons that proud one-for-all attitude will stand them in good stead now.

The Knights, homeless throughout 2015 as the community stadium saga rumbled on, have seen their bid to reach this year’s play-offs hit by new controversy, after the team were told they could not use York City’s ground as planned for their humdinger against former boss Gary Thornton’s Doncaster, in the first game of the new Super 8s section of the season.

It is unclear where - or indeed if - the game will take place, though The Press understands switching it to the Dons’ Keepmoat Stadium is an option being investigated.

But Ford says his troops will play “in the car park” if need be - and fight their way out of adversity again.

“My role now? I’m focusing on Doncaster on Sunday,” said Ford.

“Wherever we play them, I know my team will turn up with a whole heap of tenacity and togetherness and will be really tough to beat.

“My players seem to continually get these setbacks and get kicked in the teeth - but we’re used to dealing with adversity.

“Are we being treated fairly? I don’t know, but we will certainly regroup and focus and put together a tenacious, hard-working performance at the weekend, wherever it is.

“Whether it’s at Bootham Crescent, the Keepmoat or in the car park, we will turn up with a lot of pride.

“These boys want to represent the city and represent the city positively.”

Ford’s team - who had no training base last year and had to play home games at Doncaster, Featherstone, York RUFC and Heworth ARLC - came within six seconds of reaching the play-off final before going down to a heartbreaking extra-time defeat at Swinton in the semi-finals.

The head coach, then in his rookie season, often declared “everyone is against us” and his players duly responded. He says such pride and spirit in the face of adversity is a special quality.

“We don’t win every week - who does? - but if a team is going to beat us, they’re going to have to play for 80 minutes, work their socks off for 80 minutes and be willing to fight us,” said Ford, whose side finished third in the regular League One campaign with ten wins, three defeats and one draw.

“Any team will have to work damn hard and play well to take points of us.

“Regardless of what sport you follow, that’s the attitude fans are proud of.

“We’re not where we want to be yet but we’re working hard to get there and give the city a team to be proud of. This setback won’t stop me taking this team forward.

“The players I’ve got are so mentally strong. Yes they will be upset, they’ll be frustrated and they’ll be kicking stones. But they will turn up at training and be outstanding and this weekend they’ll look forward to ripping into Donny wherever we play.”