VICE-CAPTAIN Mike Emmett has hailed the spirit among York City Knights’ doughty dozen – declaring his pride at being their team-mate.

Emmett took the armband for Saturday’s League One play-off semi-final in Toulouse in the absence of skipper Jack Aldous – one of the several players who were unable to travel due to work commitments, leaving the team down to only 12, less than a full starting complement with no interchanges.

The 12 Knights lost 62-10 to the table-topping French big-guns but not without a fight, Emmett leading the way with a typically gritty display at loose-forward. They even had nothing to play for, league chiefs having declared the club ineligible for promotion due to ground issues – the latest knock-on effect of the off-field strife.

Referring to the numerical disadvantage, as well as the uncertainty which has stricken the club in recent weeks, Emmett said: “Everything was against us before we got here.

“We’ve taken to the field with 12 players yet up to half-time there’s just 20 points in the game.

“Toulouse are full-time, they’re going to get on top of you. To say I’m proud of these boys is an understatement.

“With everything that’s gone against us, to field 12 men and play like that is an achievement.

“For the boys that made the effort to come over, we should be proud of our achievement. We’ve all got to be proud of ourselves.

“We’ve said all along we want to be a team of players that people want to play alongside.

“We’re not just friends on the field but we’re friends off the field as well. It’s about playing and performing for your friends and not letting your friends down.

“Some people have put bodies on the line over the season but couldn’t come here.

“Some lads haven’t played much all year but they’ve stepped up here. When lads’ backs are against the wall that’s when they’ve shown up.

“When everything is against us, we managed to fight it out, we never gave up.

“All year we’ve never given up, even when everything is against us, we’ve found this extra energy.

“We’re part-time players. We’ve been working all week and it’s hard to take time off. Some of us have families.

“To come here when everything is against you and do that, you’ve got to be proud.”

* FORMER Knights prop Colton Roche, now of Featherstone Rovers, has been named in Ireland's squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Russia and Spain in October.

Fellow ex-York forward Dario Esposito, now playing back home down under with Wests Warriors, is in the Italy train-on squad for their qualifiers against Wales and Serbia.

* TWO players with York connections have been named in the Super League 'Dream Team' for 2016. Jamie Shaul, who had a short dual-reg stint with the Knights in 2013, and Hull team-mate Gareth Ellis, whose long illustrious pro career began in York Wasps' reserves, are included, the latter being selected for a fifth time. Hull have six players in all in the 13.

Super League Dream Team: Jamie Shaul (Hull), Denny Solomona (Castleford), Ryan Atkins (Warrington), Mahe Fonua (Hull), Dom Manfredi (Wigan), Kurt Gidley (Warrington), Luke Gale (Castleford), Chris Hill (Warrington), Danny Houghton (Hull), Scott Taylor (Hull), Ben Currie (Warrington), Mark Minichiello (Hull), Gareth Ellis (Hull).