IT has been labelled the most important match in York City Knights’ 11 years of life. It is quite ironic, then, that an encounter that has long been promoted as a “heritage match”, celebrating York’s rugby league history, could have such a profound effect on its future.

Although head coach Gary Thornton won’t accept that defeat means doom, at least one nail will certainly be hammered into the Kingstone Press Championship coffin of whoever loses at Huntington Stadium tomorrow – be it York or relegation rivals Hunslet.

And in turn that means one of two grand old names in rugby league will most probably be plying their trade next year in Championship One, dubbed the graveyard, the cemetery league, the league of death.

It remains to be seen how this will affect the attendance tomorrow. Will the city get behind the club? Will it show this means something? Or will it merely shrug its shoulders?

The fact York has a rugby league heritage of note, and the fact this game in particular pays homage to York’s first-ever Hall of Famers, as inducted earlier this year, means this match, and the significance of it, should appeal to many.

But will all the old rugby league fans in the city, those who have enjoyed the good times, the craic on the terraces, decades of sporting ups and downs – be it in the blue of the Knights or the amber and black of yesteryear – turn up again in numbers?

Or, as is feared by some, will they simply say it’s not how it used to be and stay at home?

The match is certainly the most important for York since the 2010 Grand Final. It is probably more important. Defeat that day would have meant the club stayed in Championship One but back then there were several traditional clubs with rich histories of their own in that tier.

With all due respect to expansion clubs such as the University of Gloucestershire All Golds, Oxford Cavaliers and Hemel Stags, who are all valiantly taking the great game of rugby league into new lands, it isn’t where clubs such as York and Hunslet, with their long histories behind them, want to be.

Although those new clubs were admitted to the league with a big fanfare from the Rugby Football League, amid such quotes as “you never know, they might attract better crowds than heartland clubs”, it hasn’t really panned out that way, has it.

The upcoming league restructuring will have a big bearing on things come 2015 and, as this column mentioned tongue in cheek last week, a “tactical relegation” this year might paradoxically help next season in the fight to win a place in the new-look Championship the year later, with up to seven teams potentially relegated and two potentially going up.

But, really, being dumped into Championship One isn’t going to be good.

It might – it should – mean more victories next season, which will appeal to some supporters. But, come on, would you rather your team beat Gateshead’s almost amateur set-up in front of a few hundred spectators at that vast athletics ground on Tyneside, or push Featherstone close at the top end of semi-pro rugby in front of a few thousand at Post Office Road?

Of course it’s the players that need to consider that as much as anyone ahead of tomorrow’s match. But the fans can do their bit.

York’s crowds may have dropped off in recent seasons, mirroring all of rugby league’s lower tiers since the flawed decision to make Super League a closed shop, but there remains a long, proud, tradition of rugby league in this city.

And tomorrow’s match could have a big bearing on that history for future generations.

 

Ticket reward for former players

ALL former York players – from any era – have been offered free admission tomorrow as the club celebrate the city’s rugby league heritage.

Any ex-player without a ticket can phone the club on 01904 767404 today and apply for one – leaving a message if there is no answer.

The special one-off “heritage” shirts to be worn in tomorrow’s match, the classic amber and black hoops of yesteryear, will also be put up for silent auction after the game.

Each of the shirt sponsors will receive one, with the other dozen or so going under the hammer.

Forms will be handed out at the match tomorrow for fans to fill in and submit a bid, should they wish.

Each shirt has the name of the seven inaugural York Rugby League Hall of Fame inductees written on the front.

 

TALKING of history, congratulations to long-time Knights sponsor Monk Bar Model Shop on reaching its 50th anniversary.

Andy Masheder, from the York city centre shop, and family are “long-suffering” York supporters and have sponsored the new club pretty much from day one.

Monk Bar Model Shop is also a sponsor on the charity ‘heritage’ shirt for tomorrow’s game against Hunslet.

It will be holding various 50th anniversary events from today, starting with demonstrations from Hornby, through to August 24, its 50th birthday.

 

Ultimate fans – we need you

LEAGUE sponsor Kingstone Press Cider is on the hunt for the ultimate Rugby League Championships fan – with a crate of apple-booze and VIP tickets up for grabs.

As part of the sponsors’ Champ-ioning the Championships campaign, Knights fans have the chance to either nominate themselves or a friend, explaining why they deserve to be King of the Fans in up to 150 words.

The search will result in one fan being crowned from each club, with each being named on Kingstone Press’ Facebook site’s Wall of Fame and winning a crate of cider and a family ticket to Championships Finals Day.

At the end of the season, one of these 23 will then be crowned the King of the Fans, winning VIP treatment at the Championships Finals day, and a year’s supply of cider – which is good stuff, by the way. Oh, and let’s be fair, there should be a decent chance of a York fan winning given their dedication to the cause over a few, let’s say, difficult seasons.

Gordon Johncox, Kingstone Press managing director, said: “This is our chance to celebrate every aspect of the Champion-ships and reward loyal fans.”

Supporters can get involved via the Kingstone Press Facebook page, where there is a link to the competition. Also, 150-word submissions can be made by emailing competitions@kingstonepress.co.uk The competition is open to over-18s only and closes at midnight on Sunday, September 15.

 

Wembley distinction

ALL 95 clubs that trod the road to Wembley during this year’s Tetley’s Challenge Cup are to be celebrated in the build-up to next Saturday’s final.

A representative from every club that competed in the competition, which began with qualifying rounds last autumn, will be invited on to the Wembley pitch in their kit and flying their club’s flag to form a guard of honour for the finalists, Hull and Wigan.

York’s representative will be Tom Hardy, 21, who recently began working for the club as a volunteer assistant commercial manager. As reported by this column, Hardy even offered to make up the numbers for Rochdale so the play-off-seeking Knights U20s could get their game on last week.

RFL chief operating officer Ralph Rimmer said: “It’s fantastic that all the clubs who started this season with cup ambitions will be represented at the final.”

Tickets for the final can still be bought through the Knights on 01904 767404 – at a discount price, with the club getting a cut of these proceeds.