JAMES FORD has admitted a desire to turn full-time as a rugby league head coach - but has no intention of leaving York City Knights to do so.

Ford has overtaken Mick Cook as York's longest-serving boss since the club re-formed as the Knights in 2002, having now racked up 91 games in charge since taking the reins at the end of 2014.

He also has the second-best win ratio behind Richard Agar, who had one season at Huntington Stadium in 2004 before moving into the Super League arena and going on to take the top jobs with Hull, Wakefield and France.

Asked if he too wanted to make that jump - having also recently seen old pal and another ex-Knights chief, Chris Thorman, take temporary charge at Huddersfield - Ford said: "I'm not really looking too far down the track in terms of where I would like to coach.

"I want to help this group develop as much as possible.

"It's no real secret that I want to be full-time as a rugby league coach - that way I could invest more energy into it and get even more out of this group.

"Hopefully the supporters can continue to back the club as they have done and maybe we can look to do something down the line."

That last comment suggests that, if recent off-field growth continues, there might be a possibility of Ford becoming the Knights' first-ever full-time boss, and the first in living memory for York RL as a whole.

Ford certainly said he was not looking to go elsewhere.

He is contracted to the end of 2019 having signed a new three-year deal at the start of 2017 following the takeover by owner Mark Campbell and chairman Jon Flatman.

Should he see out that deal, it will make him York’s longest-serving head coach since the great Tommy Harris held the reins for 11 years from 1962 to 1973.

And Ford explained: "Mark and Jon are ambitious. They see huge potential in the club, and what they've done in the short term is something I'm immensely proud of.

"Fulfilling that potential comes with the supporters as much as anyone.

"They've got behind the team in growing numbers and have been loudly cheering the boys to victory and sponsoring the club.

"It's a team effort in every respect and, as long as they continue to back us, the club will grow.

"I'm really happy here and am enjoying my work. There's a good connection between the team and the supporters, there are good players here, and I'm enjoying working with Jon and Mark.

"I don't see why I would be looking elsewhere while I have a job to do here."

Ford's class of 2018 have so far won five of their six matches, including victories over promotion rivals Oldham and Doncaster and Championship side Swinton in the Challenge Cup. Their sole loss was to a penalty after the final hooter against big title favourites Bradford Bulls.

In total, Ford has won 56 of his 91 games in charge, giving him a win ratio of 61.5 per cent.

Agar, whose 2004 team enjoyed memorable cup runs but missed out on promotion from in National League Two (League One) after losing a dramatic grand final to Halifax, won 25 of his 36 games in charge for a win ratio of 69.4 per cent.

The popular Cook, who led the team to promotion the following year, had a win ratio of 66.7 per cent that season but it dropped with relegation the following year.

In total, he was in charge for 88 games over three years, winning 43.

As for becoming the Knights' longest-serving coach - now with the most games in charge, as well as time spent at the helm - Ford said: "I've not really thought about it.

"I've just been focusing on building a team and a club. Initially (with off-field issues in 2015 and 2016) it was under some pretty difficult circumstances if I'm honest, but we've all grown stronger from that.

"I'm proud of the amount of time I've spent here and of what the coaching team have got through off the field and of the distance we've travelled this year, and I'm excited about the club's potential."

On his win ratio, Ford added: "We're on the right path. The players are improving and as long as the group continues to improve that win ratio will improve alongside it.

"I'm full of admiration for the other coaches on that list. Richard Agar's record is superb and if I can be half the coach he has been then I'm going in the right direction.

"If I can be half the person Mick Cook is, that will do for me."