Carl Barrow and Jy-mel Coleman join York City Knights squad for 2010 season (From York Press)

Carl Barrow and Jy-mel Coleman join York City Knights squad for 2010 season

9:39am Thursday 12th November 2009 in

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YORK City Knights’ recruitment is continuing with second-row Carl Barrow re-signing for 2010 and youngster Jy-mel Coleman joining from London Skolars.

The Press also understands the club could be in the running to sign former Gateshead Thunder star Neil Thorman – brother of new stellar signing Chris – if and when he returns from playing winter rugby in France.

Barrow, 28, a former amateur with New Earswick All Blacks and York Acorn, who also played for York Wasps before that club went bust, joined the Knights early last season after a successful trial. He went on to play 11 times last term, eight as substitute.

Coleman, 21, is the younger brother of Jermaine Coleman, who had a short trial with the Knights in 2003 and ended last season as player-coach of Championship One strugglers London Skolars, at the tender age of 27, though he has since reverted to player-assistant to new boss James Massara.

Previously a classy amateur with Leeds Akkies and in student rugby league, Jy-mel, who has also turned out for Hunslet Hawks’ academy, joined his brother at the Skolars midway through last season, commuting from his home in Leeds, where he still studies. He contacted the Knights looking for a chance to prove himself at Huntington Stadium.

Knights head coach James Ratcliffe said: “Carl offers us size and strength, like last year. He will improve and I’m looking forward to working with him again. I think he will be better for having a pre-season this time and I think he will figure quite a lot next season.

“Jy-mel is a talented player like his brother and will offer competition at half-back.”

Coleman will face stiff opposition to break into the first team, against new player-coach Chris Thorman and promising youngsters Jonathan Schofield and Luke Helliwell.

Ratcliffe will also have other half-back options, with former Featherstone pair Joe McLocklan and Richard Blakeway and Super League academy recruits Paul Stamp and Adie Hampshire all able to play at six or seven. Danny Ratcliffe could also move up from full-back.

Those options might also increase in the spring, should Neil Thorman – who can play full-back, half-back or hooker – then decide to join his oldest brother at Huntington Stadium.

The 25-year-old Geordie was a bit-part player with York in their 2005 National League Two (Championship One) title-winning campaign after signing for the club aged 20 from Gateshead, along with his other brother, Paul.

But, after returning to Tyneside, he became one of the leading lights and was a key man as the Thunder were surprise Championship One winners in 2008 and defied the odds to avoid the drop zone last year.

He left Gateshead last week following the club’s recent financial issues and signed for French Elite League side Avignon.

Their season ends in April, though, and The Press understands the Knights have already spoken to him about signing at Huntington Stadium around the start of the Championship One league campaign.

Scotland half-back Gareth Moore, whom the Knights had initially wanted to keep following his successful spell at the end of last season, has signed for Championship club Batley following the collapse of his switch to Gateshead. The Knights had not approached him again after he had rejected their earlier offer.

It has been confirmed, meanwhile, that the Thunder will start next season back in Champion-ship One alongside the Knights, and with a six-point deduction. This followed the creation of a holding company in the old business’ stead after major backer Steve Garside pulled the plug.

The move was announced yesterday following the new operation’s meetings with the Rugby Football League. As seemed increasingly likely, former Super League side Leigh are back in the Championship, having been granted a reprieve from relegation.