YORK RUFC coach Lee Denham hopes to mark the club’s anniversary with a win against local rivals Selby.

A bumper crowd is expected at tomorrow’s Yorkshire One clash when York celebrate 50 years of rugby union at Clifton Park.

Admission to the game is free and a ‘Family Fun Day’ starts two hours before kick-off with live music afterwards until late.

Although originally from Worcester, Denham has lived in the York area nearly 25 years. Now 42, he took charge of the club 16 months ago and is looking to push for promotion this season.

“We can only hope that our performance on Saturday will make more people want to come along and watch us every week,” he said.

“We will certainly be trying to play our best game but, as a coach, I am always motivated for every single game we play.”

York opened the season with victory against Heath but suffered a 20-17 defeat at Scarborough in game two last weekend.

“We need to move forward and I hope we will have more fire in our belly this weekend,” he said.

“I wouldn’t say we have made a ‘satisfactory’ start but I will take it.

“You want commitment from your players and we are getting more than at this time last year.

“The average number that turned up for pre-season training last year was 22-23 but this year it was 45.

“Last year, the club was going through a change in direction and some people were a bit unsure.

“We have a very similar squad but they understand now how I want them to play.”

Commenting on the Clifton Park anniversary, he said: “The facilities are 100 per cent different to how they were when I came to York. The people are the same, there is the same exciting buzz in the club house, and the pitch is as a good as any other in the National Leagues.”

Hooker Will Schole, 19, is set to make his debut tomorrow after agreeing to play for York while studying at Newcastle University.

Schole, who has previously played for Harrogate and and the England under-20s counties, will be a ‘fantastic asset, according to Denham.

Chris Peace is still recovering from knee surgery, Tom Newitt and Marc Benson are unavailable, and both Sam Blain and Russ Bowers are nursing minor injuries.

Opponents Selby are unbeaten after two games and Denham said: “It will be hard a game. They were not ‘poor’ last year but they were misguided. Now they have made a good start under a new coach. It’s a local derby and we can’t wait.

“I will be putting out the best team I can, physically, and there will be no apologies to people not selected.”

As part of their anniversary celebrations, York are also launching a new section for girls aged 11-17.

Sessions will be held every Monday evening between 6.15pm-7.30pm at Shipton Road and will be free of charge for the next three months.

Niki Doeg, who will be coaching the girls section, said: “This is a fabulous opportunity for girls to get involved in a sport that has seen such success recently through the Women’s Rugby World Cup and the Women’s Rugby 7s team in the Olympics.

“The set up at York RUFC is great and both the club and RFU are 100 per cent behind the development of this girls’ section. I am delighted to be involved and can’t wait to see how things progress.”

The sessions, which start this Monday, will initially be staged as ‘Rugbycise’ with a rugby theme to introduce the game and the skills associated with it. Anyone wanting more details should contact yorkrufcgirls@outlook.com or call Niki on 07779 880404.

As a coach, I am motivated for every single game I play. I had tickets for every single World Cup fixture last season but never went to one at all because I was too committed to York rugby club.

I am not always able to field my strongest side but, fingers crossed, we will start getting people back in the next couple of weeks.

No disrespect to the players who have played.

Chris Peace out still, Tom Newell on holiday.