KNIGHTS boss Gary Thornton hasn’t ruled out a Super League future for Ed Smith – but believes local legend status could await the homegrown ace should he remain at Huntington Stadium.

Second-row Smith seems to have been around for a long time with 34 York appearances already behind him, including eight this year, at times taking on the mantle of most experienced back-rower in the injury absence of Sam Scott and Jason Golden. But lest we forget he is still only 20.

It’s a point not lost on Thornton, who also believes the youngster’s unselfish thirst for work sometimes means his misses out on the limelight.

“Ed epitomises everything about good local players making a name for themselves,” he said.

“I’m hoping he has a ten-year career at York.

“He might want to go on to bigger and better things, but he could have that here.

“He loves playing for his home-town club. He’s not the biggest forward but he’s one of the bravest. He doesn’t shirk anything and runs above his weight and takes the ball where it’s tough to take it.

“I’ve criticised him a bit for his over-enthusiasm which sometimes gets him out of position, but that comes down to experience. You can’t really slate him for it.

“If you had a team full of Ed Smiths you wouldn’t go far wrong.”

As for Super League, Thornton added: “He could well do that. He reminds me of Tim Spears (Featherstone’s former Castleford back-row). He goes under the radar a bit because he does all the hard work that some players don’t always want to do.

“Players like Ed aren’t frightened of rolling their sleeves up and doing the tough stuff, like closing down kickers, or coming out of your own 20, sometimes two carries in a set rather than one.

“I’d sometimes prefer they did one effective carry than two not so good, but again that’s experience. It says a lot that they’re offering themselves up.

“Sometimes that takes them out of the limelight because they’re not there to finish tries off, but you need people like that in your back row and in your team.

“You’ve also got to remember Ed is still only a young kid and he will get better.”

 

• TALKING of legendary status, sports fans in York have the chance to meet one of rugby league’s current greats this month when Leeds Rhinos and England captain Kevin Sinfield helps the Rotary Club of York Ainsty raise money for the Yorkshire Air ambulance.

Sinfield – holder of the Golden Boot award for the world’s best player – will be guest of honour at a fundraising sporting dinner.

The event, at the Mercure Fairfield Manor Hotel, in Shipton Road, will include a buffet supper, a talk, and a question and answer session, and will be hosted by BBC sports presenter Tanya Arnold.

Tickets to the event on April 24 cost £20 per head with tables of ten to 12 places available.

Sinfield became only the fourth English player to win the Golden Boot award, when he beat Wigan full-back Sam Tomkins and Australians Cameron Smith, Ben Barba, Cooper Cronk and Nate Myles to the prize.

For more information about the event phone 01904 635891, or go to www.rcya.org.uk where you can also fill in an online booking form.

 

• THERE will be a squadbuilder turnstile at the Knights’ game with Dewsbury tomorrow. Admission prices through this turnstile (number one at the main entrance) are £15 rather than the usual £14.

The extra money raised goes directly to the ring-fenced squad builder coffers.

IF any Hull FC season-ticket holders are reading this, you can get into tomorrow’s York game and watch your dual-reg players in action for a cut-price £10 via turnstile two at Huntington Stadium.

Hull junior season-ticket holders can get in for free via turnstiles four or five.

 

• TALKING of special offers, the Knights have one for next Sunday’s Tetley’s Challenge Cup tie against Toulouse (3pm).

For £25, or £20 for concessions, fans can get a match ticket (Main Stand or Pop Stand), pre-match meal, match programme and access to the sponsors’ lounge at Huntington Stadium.

Season tickets do not count for cup games. Adult admission will be the usual match-day prices of £14, plus £2 for seating.