HALF-BACK Brad Delaney has exited York City Knights without playing a competitive game for the club.

Head coach James Ford said the 22-year-old was upset about being left out of the Betfred League One opener against Bradford Bulls and asked the leave the club - with Ford duly showing him the door.

Matty Marsh, the Hull KR playmaker who featured on dual-reg at scrum-half against Bradford, was not involved on Saturday when the Knights went to amateurs Askam in the Challenge Cup, but Delaney's name was conspicuous by its absence on the squad list. Ex-Heworth amateur Liam Jackson was instead selected at half-back alongside Connor Robinson - going on to give an encouraging display including two assists.

Ford explained: "Brad was unhappy with the team selection and he's decided to move on. It's disappointing.

"Not one player in this squad is above being left out of the team. Everyone in this squad will be left out at some point.

"If somebody has an impression they're above that, that's disappointing."

Delaney initially came through Dewsbury's ranks but only played three times for their first team before having loan spells at Doncaster and Hemel in 2016 and joining Coventry for 2017.

He stood out for the League One minnows last year and impressed enough on trial at York in pre-season to win a deal.

He played in all four pre-season fixtures, overcoming a head injury suffered against Hull KR in the meantime, and scoring in the last friendly against Hunslet.

Ford said: "Brad has a lot of potential but he has a lot to learn to play for a club like this week in week out. If he's not willing to have patience to develop his understanding of the game, then it's disappointing.

"It's his loss really, but we wish him well."

Asked whose decision it was ultimately, Ford said: "He told me he wanted to leave the club. Over my time in charge, if a player has not wanted to be here, they can go. I don't want to keep an unhappy player. If he doesn't want to buy into how we do things, then fine."