FORMER captain Pat Smith has lauded the new broom at York City Knights - and believes if everyone buys into the rejuvenated club's "vision" then success won't be far behind.

Local boy Smith is optimistic the off-field issues that have blighted his hometown team in the last couple of years are at an end following the takeover fronted by Jon Flatman, whom he knows from his days in the England Students ranks.

And he is in full support of Flatman's three-year plan to get out of League One and become an established and "entertaining" Championship outfit - with a professional ethos behind the scenes driving things forward.

"If you don't buy into it you're not going to get the most out of it - that goes for any organisation," said the 26-year-old playmaker, who is heading into his fourth season with the Knights.

"There are exciting things going on here and everyone wants to see the club do well.

"I went to the York East v York West memorial game (in memory of York RL legend Stuart Evans) last week and that showed again there is a lot of passion for rugby league in York.

"The city deserves to have a good professional club that everyone can get behind. Not only a focal point but a club that brings through more Peter Foxes, Greg Minikins and Kriss Brinings and has its own success on and off the field."

He added of the takeover: "It's been like a breath of fresh air in many ways and, if everyone has a common goal and is singing off the same hymn sheet behind you, it helps you bond as a group - not just the playing group but everyone, all being in it together."

On Flatman, he added: "I worked with Jon a few years ago when I was with England Students and he was manager. He's a great guy and good to be around. He's been involved with some top clubs and knows what he's doing.

"There's definitely a change in atmosphere around the place and lots of professionalism behind the coaches.

"I bumped into Jon at Stuart Evans' funeral and it's good to see people making that effort, showing they care about the people and the game in York.

"He's come in and put things in place behind the scenes, and everyone knows what James Ford (head coach) brings to the table. Chris Spurr (assistant coach) is here now and puts his thoughts on things, and there's a great backroom staff.

"Everything the lads need to improve is here so it's down to us now, and hopefully we can make real headway through the season."

Flatman himself is wary of "over-promising and under-delivering", having said it is important to remain "realistic in the face of change", and Smith too acknowledges the team are going through a transitional period following the mass exodus at the end of last season allied to the need to play catch-up in recruitment given the uncertainty prior to the takeover.

But he has hailed the enthusiasm throughout the new-look squad and is optimistic that can take them places.

"We're a really young group but really enthusiastic," he explained.

"We're under no illusions. We're not going to be ripping up tree stumps at the start of the year, but we will get better week on week.

"I've been involved in a few teams now and the best ones have bags of enthusiasm, and we've certainly got that.

"We're maybe lacking in cohesion and things like that but but those things will come. We're taking it one step at a time."

Of the "fresh start", the 26-year-old - who will again line up alongside younger brother and Press Player of the Year Ed Smith next season - added: "When I first came to York there had been a big turnover of players after relegation. It was quite a young group then as well but big on enthusiasm, so there are parallels there.

"A few lads like myself, James Haynes, Robbo (Adam Robinson) and Tim Spears are maybe more experienced - and Ed as well obviously, even though he's still a young guy.

"But everyone has bags of talent and desire.

"Harry Tyson-Wilson, for example, can go on to be some player - I've been really impressed with him - and Joe Batchelor looks sharp. Tommy Brierley is a young, big, athletic thing who can handle himself physically - he'll do well.

"Everyone's very enthusiastic and that enthusiasm will stand us in good stead."