FORMER York City Knights boss Gary Thornton says the club's current predicament is "tragic".

Thornton was preparing his Doncaster side for a rematch with his old team on Sunday in the opening Super 8s clash in the League One promotion race, only for the match to then be called off, with fears the club are to close due to ground issues.

The Knights are not allowed to use York City's Bootham Crescent as planned this weekend due to over-use of the pitch with three football friendlies in eight days, and hopes of switching the game to the Dons' Keepmoat Stadium came to nothing.

"I really hope a solution is found," said Thornton. "Nobody wants to benefit from someone else's demise, I certainly don't, especially with my connections with York.

"If we're to beat them, I want to beat them in a proper manner, not by default.

"I think it's tragic. It's really sad."

Thornton was replaced as Knights boss by James Ford at the end of 2014, after topping League One but missing out in the promotion play-offs.

"I really enjoyed my time at York, even if it didn't end as I'd have liked," said Thornton. "There are some fantastic people there - volunteers, officials, supporters, as well as the players of course. It's a brilliant place.

"York were looking to build and establish themselves as a Championship side and they've made a good fist of it over the last few years.

"To see that hard work go to waste would be heartbreaking.

"You have to feel for James, the players, the supporters, everyone involved, if this is going to be the demise of York City Knights.

"It's not good for rugby league either. The game as a whole suffers."