OWNER Jon Flatman hailed the biggest York City Knights league attendance in five years as a huge step forward for the new-look club.

A crowd of 1,012 – one of the biggest across League One so far this year – saw James Ford’s side beat Doncaster 16-8 at Bootham Crescent on Good Friday to get their league campaign back on track.

It was the biggest home crowd since more than 2,200 watched the Challenge Cup derby with York Acorn ARLC 14 months ago, and the biggest in the league since 1,015 turned out for a Championship clash with Featherstone at the old Huntington Stadium back in August 2012.

Flatman, who took over the club in the off-season, said: “This attendance shows there is appetite for top-class rugby league in York and North Yorkshire.

“It was a great afternoon and the atmosphere within the ground was excellent.

“We now look forward to seeing new, current and former fans back at Bootham Crescent for Sunday’s big Challenge Cup tie against Barrow, which is a great opportunity to take the club to the next round.

“Congratulations also to James and the players for playing their part in the excellent entertainment.”

Ford also said the noisy crowd played a big part in the victory over the Dons.

“They were outstanding, really great,” he said.

“It was the first time we’ve had over a thousand here since the York Acorn game, and how they got behind the blokes was immense. They played a massive part in our victory.”