YORK City Knights owner John Guildford hailed a victory for 'common sense' after agreement was reached to play the club's next Super 8s fixture on Sunday afternoon at Bootham Crescent.

The Knights had been ready to switch their game against Barrow Raiders to Castleford following a fresh row over the use of York City's football ground.

But yesterday morning, the uncertainty was removed when City of York Council issued a joint statement with the football club confirming that both were happy for the Knights to play at 2pm on Sunday afternoon.

The Knights have a contract with the council which entitles them to play matches at Bootham Crescent as part of the council's much delayed community stadium scheme.

However, with the new football season kicking-off this weekend, both the football and the rugby club are competing again to use the same facilities.

After lengthy discussions and various proposals, the Knights have agreed to play the Barrow fixture ONE hour earlier than originally scheduled.

That gives York City an extra sixty minutes to prepare the pitch and ground for their first home game in the Vanarama National League against Macclesfield Town on Tuesday night.

Guildford is annoyed that it took nearly three weeks from publication of the fixtures by the Rugby Football League (RFL) to settle upon a mutually acceptable kick-off time.

He also feels that uncertainty surrounding his club's fixtures has an adverse effect on match sponsorship and ticket sales.

"I am pleased that common sense has, finally, prevailed," he told the Press. "It's good news that we can go ahead on Sunday but it has still been a crazy, pathetic, waste of everyone's time, energy, and costs. All about a one hour change in a fixture!"

The statement issued by the council and club said: "City of York Council and York City Football Club are happy to confirm that the Knights fixture for this Sunday can be held at Bootham Crescent for a 2pm kick off.

"City of York Council and York City have been working with the RFL to arrange this fixture for some time and, although initially a Saturday afternoon kick off appeared acceptable, York City have confirmed they are happy to host this on Sunday 7 August if needed.

“Discussions have been on-going between all parties, including the Knights, over the weekend and once the position of Barrow was clear on their inability to play on Saturday, arrangements have been put in place for a Sunday afternoon fixture.

“City of York Council and York City Football Club would like to make clear that at no time has a fixture been blocked by either party, confirmation had simply been requested on Barrow’s availability for the Saturday.

"Many other Rugby League fixtures this season have taken place on Saturdays and, indeed, a number of the Super 8’s fixtures are still to take place on Saturday afternoons.

“We would like to wish James Ford and his players the very best for the remainder of the season.”

Knights coach Ford has been trying to focus his players on the task of winning promotion amid regular off-the-field uncertainty.

The club had been threatened with closure but still managed to fulfil its away fixture at leaders Toulouse last weekend.