JAMES FORD has called on York City Knights’ fans to roar the team through the tough times and out of demotion danger.

Two crushing defeats have left the Knights on the brink of the Championship relegation zone and with a tougher run-in than the teams below them – starting with tonight’s visit of leaders Featherstone (8pm).

Rovers come to Huntington Stadium on the back of a 14-match unbeaten streak and with coach Daryl Powell demanding even more cutting edge to an already rampant attack – no doubt targeting York’s recent flimsy defence.

A big visiting contingent is also likely to follow Powell’s men, but Ford has urged the York faithful to counter the travelling support on the terraces and help the Knights dig deep to find a performance – and, hopefully, points – to bolster their battle to beat the drop.

“You can’t overestimate how important they are,” said the former Sheffield and Widnes centre of York’s supporters.

“Some fans at some grounds are quite hostile and it makes it a difficult place to play. When they’re 100 per cent behind you, it gives you a lift, it makes you more enthusiastic. The more support they can give, the more determined you are to repay them with better performances.

“We’re playing arguably the best team in the league and I’d imagine there’ll be a lot of Fev fans there thinking they’re going to take over Huntington Stadium.

“We need our fans to be supporting for the full 80 minutes, whether we go ahead or fall behind or whatever.

“What matters is where we are in the 80th minute.

“The more support they can provide us, the more chance we have of being there or thereabouts at the 80th-minute stage.”

As reported by The Press, Ford, who has scored two tries in 11 appearances since joining York in May, was a key man behind an impromptu training session held by the players in the wake of the 76-38 thrashing by Halifax.

The squad had been given a night off but Ford and captain Alex Benson organised the get-together, and Ford, who coached Wakefield College to this year’s National College Cup, led the session, with others also contributing.

“The players as a group said we wanted to train,” said the 28-year-old. “I think it’s helped. We’ve got one or two issues with our defence and we were looking at it in game-related situations.”

Question marks have since been raised about the spirit in the camp after it emerged Ryan Esders punched team-mate James Haynes in Sunday’s training session. But asked about the mood in the camp, Ford said: “It’s a determined one.

“Players recognise that in a lot of areas we’ve let down ourselves, each other, (coach) Dave Woods, and the fans.

“Everyone is keen to right those wrongs and make sure York stay in the Championship.”