YORK City Knights owner Jon Flatman has stressed he “fully endorses” the city’s community stadium plan – saying it will allow the club to "create Super League match-day experiences”.

The stadium project – which is to see the Knights and York City share an arena on the site of the rugby league club’s old ground at Monks Cross - has been beset by problems, the latest delay coming last week when it was confirmed construction would not now start until the autumn, to be finished by the end of 2018 or early 2019.

Former Knights supremo John Guildford had been a vocal critic of the scheme, claiming it left the rugby club worse off than they had been in their old home. His arguments with project leaders from City of York Council led to the club being temporarily sidelined from the project.

However, Flatman - who took over the Knights in December, effectively securing their future after an uncertain end to last season amid ongoing ground arguments - reckons the new arena will offer a “step change” for the club and their community work, and help them "continue their path towards the three-year aim” of being a top Championship outfit.

In his match-day programme notes ahead of the Knights’ Kingstone Press League One win over South Wales Ironmen at Bootham Crescent, Flatman wrote: “The community stadium is positive for York City Knights and for our Community Foundation.

“The engagement of the local people with our community programmes will increase and the level of investment we can obtain to deliver our club objectives will be a step change for the club.

“Confidentialities exist on contractual details, however I want the best for this club and the stadium provides the most positive opportunity for the club to continue its path towards its three-year aim.”

Flatman - who has previously worked on stadium agreements in his job as a sports management consultant, which has also included roles with Hull FC, Wakefield and the Rugby Football League - added: “I fully endorse the construction of the community stadium and welcome further opportunities to engage in the process to build momentum.

“The Knights will be in a position to maximise Super League-standard training facilities, create Super League match-day experiences and integrate our Community Foundation into the growth of our activities.”

Meanwhile, Flatman has restated that the Knights would not stop players leaving for Super League, but explained that tying talent down to extended deals ensures the club "can reinvest transfer fees" should they move on.

His message comes in the wake of second-row Brad Hey penning an agreement until the end of 2019 - and amid the try-scoring exploits in the elite tier of York products Greg Minikin and Kriss Brining, for Castleford and Salford respectively.

Said Flatman: "All eyes are on this club at the moment after the success of Greg Minikin and Kriss Brining.

"We will never stop players who wish to play at Super League level from leaving, should they request so. However, new extended contracts ensures the club can reinvest the transfer fees into the next generation."