YORK City Knights boss James Ford, cheered by the club's initiatives to increase support, is hoping for another bumper crowd tomorrow for the team's only home game this month.

Visitors Coventry Bears aren't expected to bring many fans to Bootham Crescent (3pm) but, following a crowd of over 1,000 for the last League One game against Doncaster and then a 900-plus figure for the Challenge Cup tie with Barrow, Ford is hopeful the York following is on the up again - and that they will loudly get behind his boys again.

It is also hoped that curtain-raising junior rugby league action on the pitch tomorrow featuring the city's community clubs - in agreement with landlords York City - will see even more faces through the gates.

“We need an atmosphere in the stadium to get the guys fired up - it certainly makes a big difference” Ford said.

“With the attitude and tenacity we’re currently playing with, we will hopefully be rewarded with a good crowd and atmosphere.

“The support so far this season has been absolutely fantastic. I can’t praise our fans highly enough.

"It's been wonderful to see the numbers grow game upon game, and to see another 1,000-plus crowd on Sunday against Coventry would be great for the club and the city.”

He added: "I'm really impressed with the stuff the club is doing off the field to bolster support. It will be great to see people turn up in numbers again.

"We're an improving team working really hard and we appreciate the support we're getting."

The Knights return to Bootham Crescent after a convincing 56-10 victory at Gloucestershire All Golds last weekend.

“When we went to Gloucester, we went there with an attitude of professionalism and confidence in our processes, and that reflected in our performance," added Ford of his evolving team.

"I’m hoping to see more of that this Sunday when we play in front of our own crowd.”