“YORK deserves three strong clubs in the Yorkshire League,” believes Nestle Rowntree spokesman Mike Palfrey.

Trees decided they were ready to make a return to the league at their latest annual general meeting following a strong Yorkshire Northern Merit League season which saw them finish top with wins in all but two of their 18 games.

The move sees them join a league structure that features two other Minster city-based outfits, York and York RI where they will share a division with RI for the first time ever.

Participation in the Yorkshire League requires that member clubs have replacements for front-rowers and league chiefs are satisfied Trees' can fulfil this based on their record over the last few seasons.

Palfrey said: “We dropped out of the Yorkshire League in 2011 through a lack of numbers but we always felt we could be competitive in it and would re-join when we could.

“At the last AGM, we noted we had won the league quite convincingly and decided we could compete.

“It’s our first opportunity to and we really wanted to grab the bull by the horns.

“York deserves three strong clubs in the Yorkshire League.

“We’re expecting a step up in quality. We’ve been playing some very good second teams, but this is exclusively a first-team league.

“The consistency and application that comes with that will be a test for us, but we are a strong, consistent team as well.

“We can’t wait. We’ve been getting great numbers at pre-season training with lots getting stuck in, more than I’ve seen for a while.

“We’re looking forward to taking on new clubs in new environments and welcoming these guys over to us.

“It was a unanimous decision to move up and they looked to us to back it up – and the early signs are good.

“It (The games against York RI) is obviously an eye-catching fixture for both teams.

“RI helped us while we were in the Merit League, like when our home ground was flooded badly but we still managed to fulfil all of our fixtures. They’re a well-respected club.

“We’re looking to get right back and mix it up – we’re looking forward to it.”

The club are hoping to build and put out a second team for the first time since the late 1990s and welcome anyone interested. For more information, phone Mike Palfrey on 07450565278.