BRIAN NOBLE is not surprised York City Knights have risen into the promotion reckoning in Kingstone Press League One – having predicted it some “seven or eight weeks ago”.

The Super League legend, and now director of rugby at Toronto Wolfpack, who are in York for Sunday's Super 8s opener, says he is thrilled with the upturn in fortunes for the club in the "capital of the North", and he reckons anything can happen should they continue to build momentum towards the play-offs.

However, he did take a swipe at Knights boss James Ford for his comments ahead of the reverse fixture a month ago.

“My tip seven or eight weeks back was that they’d have a real crack at the play-offs," said Noble of the Knights.

“People were talking about Barrow and Whitehaven being our biggest challenge but I always felt there would be another team who’d come into it, and I always felt it would be York.

“As someone who has experienced runs to grand finals, I know if you build momentum and belief in any team you can build anything towards the end of the year.”

Noble, the former Wigan and Great Britain boss who most notably led Bradford to three Super League Grand Final triumphs and three World Club Championships in the 2000s, was aware of the strife that engulfed the Knights this time last year, prior to the takeover by Jon Flatman.

He said: “First of all I respect the people who jumped in and got the club on a level footing.

“From day one they’ve had a plan and it’s coming to fruition. It would have been difficult at the start but they’ve built steadily through the year.

“They deserve a lot of credit and I’m absolutely thrilled for York.

“The ‘capital of the North’ deserves a rugby league team.

"They’ve always had one and I’ve always enjoyed coming here, so I’m personally thrilled with how things have been going.

“I want the public of York to turn up (tomorrow) and make this occasion something special."

Noble had praise for the job Ford has done at York, but criticised his comments prior to the regular-season meeting at the Lamport Stadium, when the Wolfpack won 64-22 to continue their 100 per cent record.

Ford had bemoaned the “unfair advantages” afforded to full-timers Toronto, including the logistics and effects on a part-time team of a weekend trip to Canada. The Wolfpack, conversely, are based in the UK during their block of away matches.

“My first experience face to face (with Ford) was when York came to Toronto," said Noble. “He’s certainly not one for not speaking his mind.

“I thought some of his comments were way off but I respect the fact he’s got an opinion.

“He seems to be a really competent coach. I’ve spoken to him a number of times and he speaks sense.

"But I did not agree with those comments. We’ve been given the same rules and we've had to jump through all the hoops. The rugby league community wanted it (Toronto in the league).

“I personally would have started Toronto in the Championship, but our job, like James’ job, is to get as high up the ladder as possible.

“We’re attracting upwards of 8,000, we’ve got a new audience, a bigger audience. There are 50 million people showed games across America, our games are televised in Canada and the UK, and we’re attracting interest over in Australia and New Zealand.

“It’s absolutely great for spreading the game.

“James might have been a little bit more informed and maybe a bit more measured.

“If you look at the plight York were in last year, there’s no doubt we (rugby league) need a new market and a new audience to attract more finances and attract 5,000, 6,000, 7,000 every week.”

Meanwhile, Noble said none of Toronto’s staff have talked about completing the year unbeaten, despite winning all 15 regular season matches and being widely tipped to walk it to promotion.

“To go 15-0 is still an achievement. We started with a shabby game at Whitehaven in three feet of mud, and the Siddal (Challenge Cup) game was the same. There have been hairy moments. But we’re looking forwards.

“While we understand there are five-year and 10-year plans (at the club), we’re involved in the immediate.

“We’ve got things to do, and York have things to do. Both teams now need to aim up."