HEAD coach James Ford remains "fully committed" to York City Knights – despite speculation linking him to rival clubs.

Ford signed an extended two-year deal with the Minster city outfit earlier this season but, amid continued uncertainty surrounding next season given ongoing takeover talks and the latest ground issues, he has recently been linked to coaching jobs at several teams in all three tiers of professional rugby league – among them Wakefield, Featherstone, Sheffield and Keighley.

However, while the sought-after 33-year-old says he is "flattered" by the speculation, he says his focus is only on his team's promotion challenge, continuing with tomorrow's visit of Hunslet, and that he wants to stay long-term should off-field matters get sorted.

"I'm very flattered to be linked with other clubs, especially ones of that stature," Ford told The Press when asked about the rumours.

"But I've got far too much respect for the individuals in those posts to have any worthwhile conversations about jobs at other clubs.

"Myself and the players at York have made a commitment to one another to finish the season here with the utmost endeavour to win promotion and I couldn't expect them to be as committed to me as they are if I'm thinking about other clubs.

"Loyalty and commitment are two very important characteristics to me. My full undivided attention is to York and these players and we'll continue to strive to give sports fans in this city a team to be proud of."

Ford revealed his aim would be to do with York what Daryl Powell did at Featherstone in taking Rovers from League One to the top of the Championship, albeit given the right finances and tools off the field.

"I've made mistakes this year but I've got a group of players – and supporters – who are forgiving and I want to repay that loyalty and take York as far as I can," said the former Castleford, Widnes, Sheffield and York threequarter, now in his second season as a head coach, both of which have been plagued by off-field issues around the community stadium saga.

"York have massive potential and I'm very lucky to have a job at a club with such potential. I want to help them fulfil that potential, without having to face setback after setback, and I'm optimistic sooner rather than later I will get that opportunity."

Ford added: "Ideally I want to do something different to the norm. As coaches in the lower leagues develop they generally move on and work as a Super League assistant coach. Whether I'm ready for that is not for me to say.

"But I want to stay here and do what Daryl Powell did when taking Featherstone from League One to the best team in the Championship. To do that, I need a fair opportunity, but that is what I want to do."

As for the medium term, however, Ford admitted the uncertainty regarding the ownership of the Knights – and where the team will play if Bootham Crescent is not made available as part of the community stadium plan – was causing growing concern when it comes to putting together a competitive squad for next season, in the assumption the club will be able to continue beyond this year.

He is well aware many of his team were approached immediately after the bombshell news last month that the club was to close down and, although the squad stuck together as guarantees came in that Knights chiefs would at least see out the season amid takeover talks, he fears he could soon lose those players, as well as other possible targets.

Ford said: "The longer this ownership issue continues, the harder it becomes to re-sign the blokes in the squad. They've been incredibly loyal to me and the team but I'm sure interest in them has not waned in terms of people planning for next year.

"In terms of me contracting players for 2017, it's getting harder and harder as the uncertainty goes on. I know players who would want to sign but we're not in a position to do that until this situation is sorted. All we can do as focus on this season, starting with Hunslet this weekend."