HEAD coach James Ford is keeping expectations to "common sense" levels as York City Knights enter a new era - but he has far from ruled out a title challenge.

Uncertainty over the club's future has seen several key men depart to rival teams in recent weeks.

However, the Knights' takeover was officially announced just after 10.30pm on Thursday, the consortium fronted by Jon Flatman having acquired all of outgoing owner John Guildford's shares, and the team was quickly reinstated into League One by the Rugby Football League.

And, with optimism quickly increasing among York's rugby league faithful, Ford was asked about the possibility of leading a title challenge in 2017, the 34-year-old having taken the team into the play-offs in his two rookie years in charge despite contending with regular off-field strife.

He said: "I'll sit down with the new owners and we'll formulate some targets between ourselves.

"There needs to be an element of common sense. We're behind in terms of recruitment - we've lost some individuals we wanted to keep, which will impact on us, and most clubs started recruitment last season.

"But what's important is we all pull together and create a sustainable club and one that's ambitious and driven, with lots of driven people in and around it.

"We're not going to exclude ourselves from promotion because I know the people involved and the people we're getting in the squad, but I'm not going to put that pressure on them at the moment."

Despite the recent uncertainty and player exits, Ford had assembled a provisional squad behind the scenes and it is believed they have secretly trained together a number of times in readiness for the green light.

Asked if the overriding feeling was one of relief that it was finally sorted off the field, Ford said: "I wouldn't say relief. I was confident a solution would be found.

"I now want to focus on rebuilding the team. It will be a challenge but it's one I'm excited about, and I know it's one the rest of the coaching staff and the players are looking forward to."

He added: "I had been kept up to speed with things as they were progressing and I knew it was nearing completion.

"I did get a phone call from Jon Flatman before the news went out and an email from John Guildford before it was released in the media, which I appreciate.

"I'm really happy it is completed and we're now looking forward to the new season.

"I was not involved in terms of the details at board level - I still don't know and it's not my place to ask - but I was very hopeful there would be a professional rugby league club in York.

"There is enormous potential in this city. There are a lot of good people in and around the club and I know the new backers taking over.

"My job is to focus on the team and gain some momentum on the field to help build momentum off the field."