NEW owner Jon Flatman says the three-year aim at York City Knights is to become a fully-fledged Championship club playing "exciting rugby league".

He has also confirmed, as mooted in The Press, that Featherstone Rovers chairman Mark Campbell is a key backer behind the scenes, although Flatman himself is the listed shareholder.

The sports management consultant was speaking exclusively to The Press for a question-and-answer feature which is published in full below.

He is wary of "over-promising and under-delivering" at the Kingstone Press League One club, saying it is important to remain "realistic in the face of change" and adding "I’m sure fans and partners will agree that being competitive and honest in our efforts on the field will produce hope for the future whether we win or lose".

But he says he wants to "deliver a club which is partnership-focused, vibrant, full of integrity and competitive on the field".

He said: "The three-year aim is to be a Championship club with an exciting squad of good people who strive to fulfil their potential and enhance the sport of rugby league.

"This is definitely possible and James Ford (head coach) and myself will be working hard to achieve this.

"We may achieve it sooner or later than the three years... but we know where we want to be."

He admits player recruitment for next season has been difficult due to the uncertainty over the Knights' future but says that, following the successful takeover, they can now "move forward to contract the type of players who fit with the club's values".

Off the field, Flatman believes the planned community stadium is "important to the longer-term growth of the business", and also that good relationships with local and regional businesses are vital, saying the aim is for a "sustainable, growing financial model which respects good business practice and contributes positively to the local and regional economy".

Long-time Knights fan Chris Hearld, of eminent accounting firm KPMG, is confirmed as another supporter behind the scenes.

Flatman added: "Sport is full of challenges and York City Knights have its fair share of those but I’d rather focus on the issues which we can control and do something about.

"We must be a fun club where people enjoy going on a matchday and beyond."

Jon Flatman question and answer feature in full:

Q. First of all, congratulations on the takeover. How did the agreement come about?

A. Thank you. I’d like to thank the many well-wishes I have received over the last few weeks and I look forward to the future with excitement and enthusiasm.

The dialogue began with John Guildford around three months ago about his plans for the future and to explore what opportunities were available to move the club forwards.

It then became clear that there were several hurdles to overcome relating to facilities, contracts status and player recruitment which, if a takeover was to occur, would require investment, trust and good-will between all the parties.

We reached an agreement over complete ownership relatively early in the process and have been putting together the other parts of the jigsaw behind the scenes.

I think, to date, this has been a key part of getting the club to where it is today and will be very important to moving the club forwards on and off the field.

I would like to reiterate my thanks to John Guildford and his family for their guardianship of professional rugby league in York.

I can also put to bed the rumours that John is still involved. He isn’t and is taking a well-earned rest from the sport.

All of the York City Knights Holding Company and John’s personal shares have been transferred to myself and the Guildfords have resigned as directors.

I didn’t know John prior to the discussions but would like to thank him for the manner in which he has delivered the business free of debt and provided information as and when requested.

Q. You are now listed as the club’s owner, though it has been widely reported you are the frontman for a consortium. Can you confirm if there is a consortium and, if so, who else is involved? Will you or they be backing the club financially?

A. There is a consortium, which is a “grand” term for a group of individuals who agreed to do what’s needed to give rugby league in York an opportunity to flourish.

As has been mooted locally, Mark Campbell is a key individual behind my support. He has taken Featherstone Rovers from a lower league club to one that competed in the Middle Eights this year and has transformed their ground with his energy and investment.

Mark is the chairman at Featherstone but doesn’t own the majority of shares and the structure of the club as such is that only one ‘A’ share can only be owned by one individual and there are many ‘A’ share owners. His advice, support and knowledge of the sport is a key component for the success of York City Knights.

Please let fans be under no pretences that York will be a feeder club to Featherstone. While dual-registration may occur short-term, clearly Mark and I both agree that York could and should be operating on a par with Featherstone in the Championship within time.

Clubs in rugby league need to work together to grow the game and this could provide an excellent blueprint for the partnership working.

Several further investors will be announced in due course when the situation allows it and, in addition, we are very open and keen to meet likeminded individuals or businesses who wish us join the journey.

Q. Is there a fixed plan and set of objectives for the Knights or is it too early for that?

A. There is a clear outline for where we see the club in three years’ time. It’s important to focus the club with key aims and aspirations while remaining realistic in the face of change.

The new stadium is important to the longer-term growth of the business and linked to that is the ability to raise the standards off and on the field.

However, we must focus on the now and ensure that we have a business model fit for purpose to deal with the next two seasons.

We want to deliver a club which is partnership-focused, vibrant, full of integrity and competitive on the field.

Q. Is there any specific aim for the club on the field?

A. The on-field performance is essential to the model. A competitive team playing good exciting rugby league is a must. It’s the entertainment business and we must provide fans with a product they can be proud of.

However, I’m sure fans and partners will agree that being competitive and honest in our efforts on the field will produce hope for the future whether we win or lose.

The three-year aim is to be a Championship club with an exciting squad of good people who strive to fulfil their potential and enhance the sport of rugby league. This is definitely possible and James Ford (head coach) and myself will be working hard to achieve this.

We may achieve it sooner or later than the three years, and the structure of the competition may change between now and then, but we know where we want to be.

Recruitment has been difficult due to the uncertainty but we can now move forward to contract the type of players who fit with the values outlined.

I am looking forward to working with the Squadbuilder trustees to boost recruitment further.

Q. Off the field, what are the key challenges?

A. The aim is for a sustainable, growing financial model which respects good business practice and contributes positively to the local and regional economy through valuing all stakeholders.

We know that the relationship with the local and regional business community is key to raising the profile and communicating the values to the wider public.

I have spoken to several previous sponsors, new sponsors and supporters of the Knights and secured their support for the 2017 season.

As an example, Chris Hearld, who leads big-four accounting and advisory firm KPMG in the north of England, has agreed to continue his support to the club as a long-standing Knights fan.

Sport is full of challenges, and York City Knights have its fair share of those, but I’d rather focus on the issues which we can control and do something about.

Financial growth results in further investment in the product we sell, which is ultimately the team on the pitch. We must market that product in a manner which reflects what we are about. We must be a fun club where people enjoy going on a matchday and beyond.

Q. You have previously mentioned producing York-born players, as has coach James Ford. There has been talk of a new player pathway and the return of a reserves team. How realistic is that going forward?

A. It’s been done before and I am sure York players will continue to come through the amateur system into the pro ranks under the current structure. However, there are huge opportunities to improve the quality and quantity of York and North Yorkshire-born players.

The talent pathway in the area will undergo a review and we will look to see how the club can add value to the Rugby Football League, the community game and wider talent identification and development. This is key to the club’s future and the future of the game.

We want a talent development pathway which allows potential to be fulfilled and success rewarded.

We will recognise and promote individuals who further their personal development through team work, honesty and discipline.

The Knights Foundation, under Neil Gulliver, does an amazing job and is highly regarded throughout the sport. The club’s challenge is now to work with Neil to provide resources to strengthen the player development system further.

Q. What can we expect in the immediate term?

A. Fans can expect some positive player recruitment announcements and more details on the merchandise range for 2017, including a shirt launch.

We wont be over-promising and under-delivering, that’s for sure.

We are also looking to revamp the lottery, a way in which fans can help even further, and confirm pre-season friendlies.

We would ask that in this period fans continue to show patience around the website and online media as we hope to update those in due course.