TWO things have become apparent in the second half of this week and the first is that the word ‘gutted’ really does have a new definition these days.

Any old dictionary tells you the meanings of the verb ‘gut’ are: 1 take out the intestines and other internal organs (of a fish or other animal); 2 remove or destroy completely the internal parts (of a building), for example by fire.

However, dictionary amendments of modern times include the now widely used slang definition of ‘gutted’: 3 (informal) very disappointed or upset.

And, for those that don’t know, a new one has been added this week: 4 (slang) York City Knights players, fans and staff.

A quick look on Twitter gave evidence aplenty for number four.

Scrum-half Ben Johnston wrote after Wednesday’s game: “Gutted to be part of the team I grew up watching get relegated.”

Tom Carr tweeted: “Gutted about tonight... Thought we dug deep, just couldn’t hold off in the end.”

Jack Pickles: “Absolutely gutted, gutted for the lads and gutted for everyone that follows us.”

And there was this from assistantcoach Mick Ramsden: “It’s a cruel game, when you see players give every ounce and come away with nothing. Gutted for everyone involved with the club.”

That’s a whole lot of guttedness.

Matty Nicholson was the only one not to use that word. Instead he chose the irony of understatement.

“Well that was disappointing.”

Quite.

Defeat that night meant the Knights were relegated from the Kingstone Press Championship ahead of tomorrow’s last game of the regular season at home to Batley.

However, within a day or two, possibly even sooner, something else became quite apparent: doom and gloom of demotion was already making way for new hope.

It is linked less with the slang definition of ‘gutted’ but rather the second old definition, the one about being destroyed by fire. The Knights, it seems, are already planning to rise out of the flames.

Chairman John Guildford was quick to grasp the proverbial phoenix’s wings.

He tweeted: “We don’t fail from getting knocked down, we fail from not getting back up. #onwardsandupwards.”

He added that “planning starts now”.

Messages of goodwill from other clubs and their fans have also been widespread on social media, praising the ethics of the club regarding their use of dual-registration, the character of the coaches and players, and the fact that this team have been pretty competitive, notwithstanding their demotion.

Seems York will be missed.

But hey, roll on the resurgence.

Championship One, in its current guise, has been widely termed the ‘cemetery league’ given the paucity of long-standing well-supported traditional clubs.

But, taking a leaf out of the optimists’ book, it might not be so bad after all. (Especially if it helps the club end this bloody losing record on the road.) ONE big question facing the Knights upon their relegation concerns finances.

How will the club be affected?

This is covered somewhat in today’s back page story and, so we understand, in chairman John Guildford’s programme notes tomorrow.

One thing for certain is that central funding from the Rugby Football League will fall from £90,000 to £70,000. However, in better news, albeit to be confirmed, is the belief that travel costs for Championship One clubs are paid for by the RFL, given it was their decision to admit outpost clubs in far-flung places like Gloucestershire, Hemel Hempstead and Oxford into the league – assuming these clubs stay in the league next year, given the disappointing crowd levels and revenue.

The club, however, will still almost certainly have to stump up on a new road map – just where is Hemel Hempstead anyway? – and some DVDs for the long journeys.

THE Press reported on Friday how the Knights could well turn to the under-20s come next year, given the excellent season they had in the U20s Championship.

It’s fair to say the transformation of the team – and the development of individual players – over the past year or two have been special.

The team began this season with three defeats but then went on a seven-game winning streak (eight if you include the match forfeited by Rochdale) before losing their last league game at Oldham to the last kick of the game.

They probably should have won that too – and would have done had they played anything like they did at Featherstone in Thursday’s play-off semi-final.

Indeed, their performance that night gave ample evidence the future is bright should these lads continue to develop at a similar rate.

They lost 34-26 to the reigning champions but it really was a good game, the standard of which surely can’t be too far removed from that in Championship One.

James Ford has taken his fair share of plaudits as head coach, and rightly so. It’s probably fair to assume the first-team captain sees his future in coaching and he’s making a good fist of it so far.

Ford himself is always quick to pass on credit to his assistants, Mick Cook and Will Leatt, in helping to develop young players. As regards former head coach Cook, he doesn’t half shun the limelight but it’s fair to say everyone in and around the club know his worth.

In fact, is there a better coaching team in the U20s’ arena? Here’s hoping they all stay on next year.

The players, too, deserve praise, for their willingness to learn, develop and put the work in, Remember, these lads don’t get paid.

Ford has often declared his pride in his young guns, and after Thursday’s match maintained a good blend of optimism and realism.

“To think where we started this year, or two years ago for a fair few of these lads, to where we finished this season – it’s remarkable,”

said Ford. “I’m proud of how they’ve developed and progressed.

“They’re not all going to play first team but I’d like to think that with the right development a fair few will do – and be very good at that level.”

One of these young local lads made more ground on The Press Player of the Year leaderboard this week after his performance at Doncaster.

Ben Dent, right, an under-20s regular this season (as an overage player), picked up player-ofthe- year points on his return to the first team against Workington, and was at it again as he collected two points for being our second-highest rated player on Wednesday night.

Ben Johnston – a former York Acorn ARLC junior, let’s not forget – also added to his tally (1pt) that night, while Ryan Mallinder, whose rise out of the amateur arena has been noteworthy, was our man of the match (3pts).

We have decided not to announce the Player of the Month award for August just yet, as the three bonus points that come with it could have a bearing on the final Player of the Year standings.

The annual award itself, as well as the monthly gong, will be presented – and announced – at the Knights’ end-of-season presentation night next Friday.

Along with pride, it is one thing to play for tomorrow when Batley visit Huntington Stadium in the season finale, with Sam Scott and Jack Lee the front-runners.

The Press Player of the Year standings: Scott 21pts, Lee 18, Sullivan 15, Presley 15, Nicholson 13, Carr 12, Aldous 10, Brown 9, Ford 8, Flockhart 8, J Latus 8, Johnston 7, Briscoe 6, Mallinder 6, Dent 6, Freer 4, Hadley 3, Lineham 3, Lyons 3, Elliott 3, Pickets 3, Brining 2, Smith 2, Golden 2, Bowden 2, Potter 1, Kent 1, Stenchion 1.