Dual-reg prop Brooke aims to impress with Knights (From York Press)

Dual-reg prop Brooke Broughton aims to impress with Knights

11:22am Thursday 26th January 2012 in Knights RL By Peter Martini, peter.martini@thepress.co.uk

BROOKE BROUGHTON has been impressed with the set-up at York City Knights so far – and in turn wants to impress the Huntington Stadium faithful.

The 21-year-old prop arrived along with utility back Ben Hellewell on dual-registration forms from Super League table-toppers Warrington earlier this month, and has quickly bedded in, playing in the last two friendlies against Leeds Under-20s and Hull.

Having been “welcomed with open arms”, he now wants to repay the Knights for the chance they have given him in the open-age arena, and shine to give himself a chance of breaking into the Wolves’ first team.

“The plan is to be at York for the season if the Knights take a liking to me. Hopefully next year I’ll have a better shot (at making the first team) at Warrington,” said the former Leeds Rhinos junior, who, despite still being based in Leeds, was tempted to sign pro forms over the Pennines.

“It’s a good standard at York, much better than playing under-20s. It’s more physical in the Championship and you’re playing against professionals who could still play in Super League.

“My main aim is to start every week here and play consistently well for York. Hopefully that will help my chances at Warrington.”

Broughton is the younger brother of Salford winger Jodie, who is widely regarded as the fastest man in Super League, and, while he does not possess such blistering pace, is seen as an athletic forward. He, like Hellewell, was recommended to York player-boss Chris Thorman by Wolves’ former Great Britain coach Tony Smith.

He will still train Mondays and Fridays at Warrington, with Tuesday and Thursday nights now at York. Dual-reg rules mean unless he is selected for the Wolves’ first team on a weekend, he will be available for the Knights, albeit up against the likes of Paul King, Adam Sullivan, Alex Benson, Jack Aldous and James Houston for a place in the pack.

“It’s a good standard here,” added Broughton. “Chris Thorman’s a very good player and he’s brought in good lads like Paul King and Waine Pryce. They’re all hard trainers and a lot of lads get here before training and stay late after training, doing extras. We’re all willing to work for the club, which is good.”

As for his welcome, he added: “I knew a few of the lads. I’ve played against Paul King a couple of times and against Jack Aldous, and I come over from Leeds with Tom Bush – I knew him from when I was at the Rhinos with him.

“I settled in fine and the lads welcomed me with open arms really. The lads have a good craic but they all train hard and the more experienced players bring you on.”