THE Smith siblings are staying with home-town club York City Knights - with big brother Pat being made the new club captain.

New boss James Ford revealed he has already decided to appoint a "leadership group" in 2015, with Smith senior at the forefront of it after his impressive debut season at Huntington Stadium which saw him shortlisted for the Championship One Player of the Year gong.

Ford reckons the 24-year-old - who was yesterday named in Ireland's train-on squad for the European Championship alongside club-mate Colton Roche - is arguably the best half-back in Championship One and can develop into "one of the best leaders York have had in a while".

He also says younger brother Ed - already with five seasons in the first-team picture - has the ability "reach the next level" in rugby league, as well as act as a spur to other North Yorkshire youngsters wanting to follow in his footsteps through the club's new youth system and into the senior ranks.

The pair will today be confirmed as the fifth and sixth players to have penned new terms.

Said Ford: "I'm obviously really pleased they've committed their futures to the club.

"Ed brings a lot of qualities. He's very hard-working and unselfish in everything he does on the field.

"He brings a steely determination and he's a very tough and uncompromising player.

"Pat has been really good for the club, not only with his performances but also as a fantastic leader and organiser."

The latter, a former New Earswick ARLC junior, missed only one match this season, his 23 appearances reaping ten tries, including a hat-trick in the memorable win over Oldham. He was voted the Supporters' Player of the Year.

He had signed from Sheffield a year ago after three years with the Eagles, having previously come through the Hull FC academy.

Said Ford: "He was a great signing and I was very keen to keep him. He brings an air of composure to our play and on occasions we maybe needed more of that.

"Pat is without doubt one of the best half-backs in the competition, if not the best, but there's still another level in him, if not more, and we'll be striving to get him there."

As for the captaincy, which was vacated by Jack Lee's switch to Hunslet, Ford said: "Pat's roles will change off the field. He will be in our new leadership group who will share responsibility, and he will be club captain.

"I feel he will mature in that role and become an outstanding leader. He's clever, articulate, organised and he understands rugby league and understands people and how to communicate effectively.

"As he matures further, I think he will be one of the best leaders York have had for a while."

Ed is still only 21 but is already becoming a proverbial piece of the furniture at the Knights, with 69 first-team appearances to his name having made his debut back in 2010 aged 17 - then the club's youngest-ever player. He likewise missed only one match this season as York topped Championship One, and his eight tries was by far his best return, taking his career tally 13.

He picked up the Most Improved Player accolade at the club's awards night and was also a candidate for Ireland's squad but declared himself unavailable.

Said Ford, who has played alongside Smith in four seasons: "Ed's been good for a number of years and this year was his best yet. He's still very young but has built up a lot of experience.

"We'll now be pushing him to get more out of him. Ed can reach the next level with the right people around him and it's our job as coaches to help him get there."

The ex-York Acorn ARLC junior is also a former reserves player of the year, having come through the old scholarship scheme.

Ford, who is to reintroduce a centre of excellent at the Knights, added: "It's important to have a pathway that local lads aspire to be part of and one that helps them to develop. We've had a number of North Yorkshire lads in the team and Ed is one of them who has risen through the ranks. He is someone other young lads can aspire to be like."