NEW recruit Mike Emmett reckons York City Knights could well have a new set of arch-rivals in League One this year - his former club.

Emmett is one of four players to have joined the Knights from Doncaster this off-season, alongside Brett Waller, Richard Wilkinson and Russ Spiers. Nev Morrison is another former Don.

Going the other way is half-back-cum-full-back Jordan Howden, who starred for York on dual-reg from Castleford only to sign for the Keepmoat club after a bigger offer, while earlier this year Lee Waterman left Doncaster for York only to then go back.

The Dons' head coach is also Gary Thornton, the man who did not get a new contract at York after leading the Knights to the 2014 League One title, instead being replaced by James Ford.

"There are a few links now and it could be a bit of a rivalry," said Emmett, who turned down a new offer from the Dons - as well as "a few Championship clubs" - to make the switch from South to North Yorkshire.

"I spoke to Gary and I get on with him. I enjoyed it there but I'd been there four years and it just felt like it was the right time to move.

"When I met James Ford it seemed he knew what I wanted and I knew what he wanted and it was a good fit. It excited me to sign for York."

Hunslet have been the Knights' arch-foes in recent years after player swaps aplenty and regular close battles between the sides. Asked why so many Dons players had now made this switch, Emmett said: "It's James Ford's choice (who he signs), but for the players it's probably the same reasons as mine.

"Brett's been at York before and he knows it there. When he got the chance to go back he went back.

"James Ford knows what he wants and the type of player he wants and he sold the club to me."

He added: "Doncaster have looked to improve as well so they'll be challenging - but it's not just going to be Donny.

"There are a few big clubs in that league. The likes of Barrow, who have signed Ollie Wilkes and a few Leigh players, Hunslet, who have kept a similar team that competed in the Championship, Keighley, who will be up there again, Newcastle, Rochdale, North Wales.

"It's going to be a tough league to get out of, harder than this year, and I think it's a division that's just going to improve.

"But promotion is a realistic goal for us. I wouldn't have signed if I didn't think that."

Emmett had starred in the Doncaster side that shocked the Championship in 2014, finishing fourth. However, they won only one game this season and were relegated with the Hawks - Thornton having been unable to effect a turnaround after replacing Paul Cooke.

"I think losing the dual-reg players made a big difference," said Emmett of the Dons' slide. "The club maybe relied on DR and it never happened. We'd had the likes of Jacob Miller, Chris Green, Liam Kent, Liam Watts a few times, Ben Crooks - this year we didn't get that and they were hard to replace."

Emmett, 28, a former Selby High School pupil, grew up in Thorpe Willoughby and as a youngster was more of a footballer than rugby player - a uncompromising centre-back with Thorpe United.

However, he was born into a Wakefield Trinity-supporting family, and after playing for Kippax Welfare and later Featherstone Lions, he showed a natural flair for the oval ball game and was signed by the Wildcats.

He also went to Castleford and York games as a teenager, and one of the players he watched at Huntington Stadium was Austin Buchanan - whom he will now team up with at the Knights, the pair having also played together at Dewsbury.

"I spoke to Austin about moving here and he seemed keen on it," said Emmett, Buchanan having also rejoined York after nine years with the Rams.

"There'll be a good set of lads here and if it's a good set and you're working for each other, who knows how far you can go.

"I've played with a few guys who are at York and everyone I speak to could not speak highly enough of the place, which shows with how many players have stayed.

"The club are going for promotion as well and that excites me. They were close this year and hopefully we can get over the line next year."

As for personal goals, Emmett said: "For myself performance-wise, it's about getting a shirt in the first place and then keeping it.

"There is competition for places but that doesn't do anyone any harm, it's a good thing. Everyone will be wanting to play well."