YORK City Knights have retired the number 18 shirt in honour of fans, staff and ex-players "no longer with us".

The club today reveal the players' squad numbers for the 2017 season, with head coach James Ford saying they do not necessarily suggest who is being lined up to start the campaign but do take into account performances in training.

However, nobody has been given the number 18 shirt, with Ford explaining the new board decided to save it as symbolic gesture to signify supporters' importance to the team as the proverbial 18th man.

"It was the new owners' idea and is a concept I very much support," he said.

"They wanted to do something to honour the supporters we've lost, the ones no longer with us, who gave a lot to the club.

"We've retired that jersey out of respect for them.

"We're hoping to build a real strong community and camaraderie with our supporters and the city of York.

"It will be great to see some of the supporters with that number on their backs, along with a few old names out of respect for those people. That would be a real positive."

Ford cited former rugby league official, administrator and Knights historian Stuart Evans and fellow stalwart supporter Colin Brown as two examples. Both passed away last year.

"There are obviously lots of people who have done a lot for the club and each supporter will have their own ideas and thoughts," he explained.

"Stuart Evans is one after all he did for the game in York. Colin is another who went all over supporting and backing the boys.

"It's basically for anyone who has made a contribution to the club who is no longer with us."

As for the squad numbers, notable ones perhaps include big new signing Ash Robson getting the number one shirt ahead of long-time ace James Haynes, who gets number 19, Pat Smith getting the hooker's number nine jersey with Harry Carter at 14, and the pivotal half-back berths going to youngsters Harry Tyson-Wilson and Danny Sowerby. Veteran playmaker Jonny Presley, who has taken on a coaching role, is number 23.

Key packmen signed from the Championship, Tim Spears and Adam Robinson, have been given the number 13 loose-forward berth and the number 20 shirt, respectively.

Chris Siddons, the prop plucked out of the amateur game, gets number 10.

Veteran winger Tommy Saxton, who is yet to play this pre-season as he works his way back from injury, is given number five, with new recruit David Foggin-Johnston at two, while 2014 top try-scorer Ben Dent is number 21.

Asked if the first 13 or 17 suggested whom he had in mind to start the season in ten days' time, Ford said: "There are a few factors we took into consideration when we gave the squad numbers.

"The first one, obviously, is where the boys were at in training at the time we put the list together.

"Joe Batchelor (second-row signed from Coventry), for example, has trained to an outstanding level and has been given number 11. He's been excellent since day one.

"We also asked if the players had preferences - some did and some didn't - and we tried to cater for that where possible."

Loan players and dual-reg players do not get squad numbers.

The Knights play their last pre-season friendly on Monday against Hull FC at Bootham Crescent (7.30pm). Admission costs £10 for adults and £8 for concessions, with under-16s, as per all home league games this year, allowed in for free.

Season tickets will also be available for purchase at the game.

Prices for the League One Cup first round home tie against North Wales Crusaders, which kicks off the season on Sunday, February 19, are to be confirmed as the club await agreement from their opponents.

Knights 2017 squad numbers: 1 Ash Robson, 2 Dee Foggin-Johnston, 3 Nev Morrison, 4 Tommy Brierley, 5 Tommy Saxton, 6 Danny Sowerby, Harry Tyson-Wilson, 8 Bobby Tyson-Wilson, 9 Pat Smith, 10 Chris Siddons, 11 Joe Batchelor, 12 Ed Smith, 13 Tim Spears, 14 Harry Carter, 15 Liam Thompson, 16 Ronan Dixon, 17 Brad Hey, 19 James Haynes, 20 Adam Robinson, 21 Ben Dent, 22 Adam Dent, 23 Jonny Presley, 24 Adam Swift.