Former York winger Alex Godfrey will return to the professional game next season in a Knights shirt.

The 27-year-old turned down advances from National League One Doncaster Lakers among others to re-sign for his hometown club - and he can't wait to prove himself.

Local lad Godfrey, who has also played professionally for Dewsbury and Hull KR, was forced out of the game after being hit with a two-year suspension in May 2004 for a doping offence which he still denies.

But he came back with an eye-catching performance for York Ironsides in this year's York 9s that reaffirmed his love for rugby league and, following a confidence-boosting spell with former amateur club New Earswick All Blacks, he is ready to return.

"I'm really excited and it feels really good to be back on familiar ground," he said. "I've got so much to prove.

"I think that's the hardest thing is to come back and pull on the Knights shirt after everything that's gone on.

"They are one of the most highly-supported teams outside of Super League and I think for me to come back is a big thing. For one thing, I've got to prove to myself that I can still do it.

"As for the fans, there's been a lot of people who have backed me up but there's a lot of people I do have to prove wrong. There have been a lot of people who don't know the full extent of everything that's happened and I would like to play well to show them I can do it."

One person he won't need to convince is current Knights boss Mick Cook.

He said: "I'm not really interested in what he's done in the past. People make mistakes in all walks of life, whether he was innocent or not.

"All I'm interested in is that we have signed a quality winger. We have lost the likes of Austin Buchanan, Peter Fox and Matt Blaymire so he will bring a real boost.

"I've not seen that much of Alex live but I've watched some footage from 2003 and I have seen bits of him for New Earswick and for the Ironsides.

"He's quite a good-footed player and he knows how to finish. He's also quite aggressive and he's got some experience.

"I'm pleased he's chosen the Knights."