HEAD coach James Ford remained pragmatic after York City Knights' big friendly against Hull FC was called off - hitting the club's finances.

Today's match, the first outing for Ford's class of 2016, was to mark the club's long-awaited return to the city centre and the start of the groundshare with York City, but was cancelled at around midday yesterday after the Bootham Crescent pitch was deemed waterlogged, having not recovered sufficiently from the rainfall that caused the recent floods across the city.

The Press understands the decision, announced more than 24 hours before the scheduled kick-off, was made by City's ground staff rather than a rugby league match official, but was accepted by the Knights.

The club may now look into arranging another friendly before the season starts in late February, but could stick with the two remaining outings - at Featherstone Rovers on Thursday, January 14, and at home to Castleford on Friday, January 22.

Ford, whose team instead had a training session - some tough hill work - this morning, said: "We knew it (the call-off) was a possibility after the rain.

"I understand York City want to look after the pitch. We're hoping to be in a long-term partnership between ourselves and the football club and we can respect the decision they've made.

"We were disappointed obviously. We were looking forward to playing Hull. I'm sure the supporters were just as disappointed.

"Our energies have turned back to training and focusing on the Featherstone game."

As for rearranging today's fixture, or organising another pre-season game, Ford said: "I'm not sure. I will make a couple of calls.

"Two pre-season trial games can be enough, especially with the iPro Sport Cup competition at the start of the season plus the Challenge Cup ties.

"Part of that decision will lie with the board as obviously the Hull game would have been a real boost to the club's finances.

"If something comes in along those lines I would be more than happy to play and help the club that way.

"I spoke to (Hull boss) Lee Radford. In terms of rearranging this fixture, that will be for the two boards. I have other things to focus on. If they rearrange the fixture, then great, we will look forward to it. If not, we will train and build for our first competitive game."

The Knights have waited a year to get in at Bootham Crescent as part of the community stadium scheme, firstly because of a fall-out in stadium negotiations and, after agreement was finally reached last summer, because of ground safety certificate issues and the installation of sockets for rugby posts.

That wait now goes on another three weeks.

A club statement announcing the fixture cancellation around midday yesterday said: "The pitch is still very wet, with water raising from the pitch when stood on in some areas, and is unplayable.

"This view (to cancel) has not been taken lightly and has been made following many inspections of the pitch and having considered the poor weather forecast.

"This being in addition to the concern of long-term damage likely to be caused by use of the pitch, which will adversely effect both sports moving forwards."

A decent crowd had been expected, especially with Super League side Hull set to bring a strong squad, potentially including big new signings from the NRL.

Meanwhile, Harry Carter has won the Knights' top trainer accolade for December and Tyler Craig has won the month's clubman award.

Ford said: "Harry gets the award thanks to his dedication to doing extra work before and after sessions and the commitment he showed on the hills.

"Tyler has gone down to help the Knights Foundation work and has got involved in the tag rugby project. We're really grateful for the work he's put into the club."