JAMES FORD reckons York City Knights’ superb record at Park Lane will count for nothing when his class of 2015 return to the north Manchester venue tomorrow (3pm).

Swinton are now back at Sedgley Park RUFC’s Whitefield home, where they played from 2004 to 2010.

The Knights enjoyed seven straight victories over the Lions there, plus a big win over Oldham in a rearranged 2006 fixture, and they suffered only one defeat, to Oldham in 2007.

Asked if that was a good omen, and if the big open spaces and large in-goal areas will suit his current side, head coach Ford said: “We’re a fast, skilful team and play at a high tempo so any track that facilitates that style of rugby will suit us.

“Swinton play pretty expansive rugby as well so it will suit them, and Swinton are a good team.

“As for the historical results, I’m not one for superstition.

“They’re irrelevant. What is relevant is our attitude and application and how we go about things this weekend.”

Swinton enjoyed a promotion season at Salford’s old Willows ground in 2011 and spent the next three years at Leigh Sports Village, being relegated last term.

This year they have reached the iPro Sport Cup final, seeing off Keighley and York’s conquerors Newcastle along the way, but were given a difficult set of fixtures with which to start the league campaign, and, after drawing with North Wales and losing at Barrow, they only got their first win last week, at Gloucestershire All Golds.

They remain among the favourites for promotion, though.

York, meanwhile, have followed their opening-day defeat at much-fancied Keighley with wins over minnows Oxford and Coventry Ford said: “Swinton can expect to be right up there. They have some good, experienced players who played for a number of years at a higher level, and some good young ones as well.

“I’ve watched the Gloucestershire game. They’re dominant in the middle of the field and they shift the ball well.”

Among their ranks are long-time Super League forward Jordan James and fellow veteran Tommy Gallagher, who are both on the backroom staff at Wigan.

Added Ford: “There’s a strong hint of Wigan in how they play, but with Jordan James being a coach there and a couple of former Wigan academy players in their ranks, that’s going to be a case.

“They’re a good team and it’s a fantastic opportunity for us to see where we’re at against one of the leading teams in our league, compared to where we were against Keighley.”

Iain Morrison, a crowd-pleasing prop at York last year albeit in few appearances, joined Swinton in the off-season but in February returned to former club Featherstone as strength and conditioning coach.

However, the Lions quickly snapped up another player with high-level experience in Matt Gardner, who was released by Championship big guns Leigh, for whom he scored 26 tries in 58 appearances.

The 29-year-old previously played in Super League for Huddersfield, Salford, Harlequins and Widnes.

They also last week added former Salford and Leigh ace Andy Thornley to their expanding ranks.

Swinton already had plenty of experience in the back line, with former Salford veteran Stuart Littler and Mick Nanyn – who sits sixth in the all-time list of rugby league points scorers – in the ranks.

Other Lions to have Super League experience include winger Alex Hurst and full-back Richie Hawkyard – brother of dangerous second-row Darren.

Coach John Duffy, who is likely to be without centre Chris Rothwell after a head injury last week, expected a tough task for his troops.

“York are playing some really good rugby,” he said. “They’ve got some real decent half-backs who get them around the park and a good set of forwards who can play as well as run hard. We’re looking forward to the game and testing ourselves against a team that play some decent rugby.”