WINNING promotion with hometown club York City Knights would be an "amazing" feeling, says notable new recruit Ash Robson.

Eyebrows rose across rugby league when Robson left the big time with Castleford Tigers for a three-year semi-pro deal with the Knights, but the 21-year-old has shrugged off suggestions it would be a step down for him, saying he instead relished the new challenge.

He duly made his York bow in the opening friendly of term on Sunday in the Ian Hardman Testimonial at Featherstone Rovers - one of 15 new faces in James Ford's match-day squad.

"A lot of people have been saying that but for me it's not about a step down in quality but more a challenge to win games and help the team to do well," said the former York Acorn ARLC junior when asked if swapping Super League for League One would be a grind.

"If I can bring something special to the team, that would be great for me.

"I just want to hit good form, similar form to that in the academy (at Cas) which gained me a full-time contract.

"I want to earn the full-back spot and keep it. I want to impress - not try to be too flashy but play when I can play. As long as the team is doing well, I'll be happy."

Robson had been widely tipped for a breakthrough year in the top flight this term after sitting out 2016 due to a horror injury, but he explained personal reasons and work aims outside of rugby made leaving the full-time environment preferable - not to mention the desire to represent his hometown club.

"Coming back from injury made me realise anything can happen in rugby league," he said, referring to his wish to gain a career away from the sport.

"But I still love the game, and I'm a York lad and York mean a lot to me.

"James Ford has similar mentality to Daryl Powell (Castleford head coach) and I think with the young talent here we can go far and maybe achieve something special."

Asked about the new regime at the Knights following last month's takeover, plus their three-year aim to join Featherstone in the Championship, Robson said: "The new start will be really good.

"I've spoken a lot with Jon Flatman (new owner) on what he wants. Ultimately we want to get promoted. Whether that happens this year or in the next three years, it will be amazing for me."

He added: "We (the squad) haven't yet had a group discussion about goals but for me finishing in the top four is important - nothing less.

"I don't know a lot about the League One Cup but we can give that a good go too and hopefully have a good run."

On personal aims, he said: "For me as a full-back I've never really set goals of scoring so many tries.

"I did a lot of work with Luke Dorn at Cas on coming out of the back and attacking shapes, helping wingers to score and assisting.

"James Ford has said to play to my strengths and my strengths are in running and being agile.

"It's a good mix. I'm still making plays and linking up with the half-backs as well."

Robson played football for Bishopthorpe juniors but first tasted rugby league aged 11 when going down to Acorn with some mates, being asked to join in when the team were one short.

He went on to represent North Yorkshire and England Under-16s, being snapped up by Leeds Rhinos' academy.

He returned to Acorn - "I wanted to be in York with my friends" - but then Castleford came in for him. He agreed a part-time academy deal and, after breaking into the first team in 2015, penned a two-year full-time contract at the end of that season.

He was a standout player the following pre-season but then ruptured a kneecap in the Tigers' friendly against Bradford and sat out the entire 2016 campaign. He began pre-season at Cas this term, but then came the switch.

"When I was at Cas a lot of people asked about York," he said. "I'd seen James Ford around at Cas training - he's watched a few of us - and I always liked his mentality.

"He wants this club to achieve big things and that massively impacted on my decision to sign."