AND a great night was had by all. It might be a cliché but that line sums up last week’s Hall of Fame sportsman’s dinner at Huntington Stadium, at which more than £2,000 was raised for York City Knights’ squad builder fund.

The event in Bar 13 had been sold out, with 126 people in attendance, a figure which included plenty of ex-players, among them the inaugural Hall of Fame inductees themselves or, in the case of the late Vic Yorke, proud family members.

It had been a nervous time, however, for the Hall of Fame committee, whose job it was to decide who should be the first names on this roll of honour. Would their selection prove controversial? They need not have been worried.

Organiser Gary Hall, of the supporters’ club, said: “We know it’s been a point of great debate and so many players would have been worthy inductees. But a lot of people came up to me and said if they had to pick a ‘magnificent seven’ those were the players they would have gone for.

“The great thing is this list is just the start of the Hall of Fame as we plan to stage nights like this every year.”

But what of those who were selected? Added Hall with a smile of particular contentment: “Geoff Pryce – he was so excited about it. The fact he had been picked – it was just brilliant.”

Joining the aforementioned Pryce and Yorke on the inaugural roster were Edgar Dawson, Gary Smith, Willie Hargreaves, Baz Watts and the late Norman Fender.

In Yorke’s stead on the night were his daughters, Sharon Parkin and Linda Gears.

Unfortunately, Watts, that great star of the 1950s, was unable to attend the event, while organisers were unable to get in touch with Fender’s family – if anyone can help with the latter, please phone the Knights on 01904 767404.

Organisers plan to invite them to receive presentations at the next Hall of Fame sportsman’s dinner in 12 months’ time, when another two or three club legends will be added to the inaugural list.

Other ex-players in attendance included Pryce’s brother, Steve, Smith’s son, Chris, themselves former crowd favourites at York, and the likes of Dave Rippon, Brian Meillam, Geoff Hunter, Ken Hunter, John Jackson, Alan Coyle, John Benson, John Jackson, Graham Sullivan, Rich Hayes, Paul Maxwell and Andy Precious.

The current crop was represented by captain James Ford, head coach Gary Thornton, and community chief Jack Stearman, who now plays for Gateshead.

Of particular note, Smith senior also made the event that little bit more special by offering up his 1981 Rugby League Division Two championship medal for auction on the night, with money raised from this also going to the squad builder fund.

The lot did not match its reserve price, however, so has been kept for safe keeping, with the supporters’ club deciding whether to showcase it in Bar 13 along with the framed photos of the Hall of Famers, or to auction it in the future. Hall says it is most unlikely to go up for sale on eBay or some such website, holding the view it should “stay in the city and go to someone who values its true worth”.

Another auction lot which did not meet its reserve was a replica Geoff Hurst shirt from the 1966 football World Cup final, signed by the hat-trick hero himself. Other lots which did add to the coffers included a signed Hull FC shirt, and a hospitality box for the forthcoming Hull v Hull KR Super League derby.

Hall added: “We had set a target of raising £2,000 and we’ve beaten that, which is great. It was a really good night and we hope everyone enjoyed it.”

IT was certainly more enjoyable than the match the following day at Keighley – but how spirits since then have been lifted by one laudable gesture of goodwill. Players have clubbed together to pay for the supporters’ bus to Doncaster tomorrow by way of making amends for the horror show.

For those that don’t know, the offer came about after players responded on Twitter to a tweet from fan Simon Hall, who suggested the squad pay for the supporters’ coach tomorrow if they lose, whereas if they won, he’d put £100 into their end-of-season party.

They decided to chip in for the bus anyway, and Hall has pledged to pay up if indeed they win tomorrow.

To add to the renewed good feeling, a number of fans pledged to put the bus money they are saving into the squad builder fund, while a raffle will be staged during the journey, with proceeds going into the players’ pot.

Now, don’t expect players to pay up for every defeat, as that would be unreasonable, but as a one-off PR exercise to lift spirits and show players do care after a poor performance, this has pretty much made everyone a winner.

It’s certainly a massive turnaround since the bus was initially cancelled due to a lack of demand.

For supporters’ bus information, phone 07763 121732.


Ford pays tribute to under-20s

JAMES FORD remained pleased with his young guns despite seeing them lose 52-26 to Featherstone in the Under-20s Championship on Thursday.

The Knights’ team was made up mainly of last year’s U18s, plus a couple of 17-year-old debutants, including Heworth ARLC junior Danny Simpson, and only one overage player in 21-year-old back-rower Jack Pickles, while Featherstone fielded four overage players, including Scotland full-back Dave Scott, who scored a hat-trick.

York also lost key man Kriss Brining early on to a neck injury, after he had got their first try.

U20s coach Ford said: “In the first ten minutes and last ten we lost 30-0, but in the middle 60 we competed really well. Losing Kriss was a blow too.

“It’s a big step up from U18s, physically tougher, but the effort was good and the systems were as good if not better than Featherstone’s. It was a good test for them.”

The Knights’ other try-scorers were Jake Joynt, who impressed up front, Pickles, Ryan Parker and Harry Carter, who, due to Brining’s departure, played all 80 minutes at hooker on his return from a fractured leg.

Adam Dent added three goals.

One interested onlooker was ex-Knights and Great Britain star Lee Jackson, whose son, Curtis, was in the Rovers team.

Jackson senior was also pretty impressed by the new Hall of Fame section in Bar 13.