Knights diary: The old dual-reg chestnut

Winger James Clare became the first player to be seconded from partner club Castleford this season when he joined the League One outfit for last week’s trip to title hopefuls Swinton - scoring a try and contributing pretty well all-round, albeit in a 34-24 defeat.

But the 24-year-old was recalled to the Tigers’ match-day squad for their Super League clash with Wigan last night, so his stay - as expected - has been brief.

The situation again brings into question not only the pros and cons of using dual-reg players for one-off games, but also the ethics.

However, Ford - who, unsurprisingly, could not say whether Clare would make another York appearance at any point in the future - was quick to argue that the system, “when used right”, could benefit all parties and the sport itself, possibly more so than the traditional loan system.

“If it’s used appropriately it can work,” said Ford. “It’s not just about using players, it’s swapping coaching experience and ideas, and clubs can support one another, in addition to the opportunity to access good players when you need them and if it suits both parties.

“What you don’t want as a Championship or League One team is for a Super League club to dictate who you’re playing and when.

“You lose your identity a bit when that happens, and that’s a path I’m not going to take York down.”

Coincidentally, last week’s opponents, Swinton, were previously criticised as the biggest over-users of dual-reg, fielding not only a host a Warrington players in their 2013 team but also big-name superstars such as Lee Briers, Paul Wood and Ben Harrison in one-off matches, going against the perception that the system was introduced to help develop young fringe Super League players.

Such a ploy not only brings an identity crisis Ford alluded to but ultimately makes for untrue league standings.

Doncaster could be used as another example - taking the Championship by storm last year with Hull players involved but struggling this year.

The Swinton-Warrington agreement is no longer in place, but, of it, Ford said: “Regarding other clubs, it’s up to them to do what they think is right for them, and I’ve got no opinions on that one way or another.

“I just wouldn’t take my club in that direction. If you get it right, it can help everyone - the clubs and the players - and it’s important to have a relationship which you can get right.

"But I also think supporters have a right to see their players playing and the club developing from within. That would be my philosophy.”

York’s recent use of dual-reg has been limited, with only four Cas players used last year including only two first-teamers - Jake Webster and Dan Fleming - who made one appearance each early in the campaign.

Clare could well follow suit and not return, but Ford reckoned his recent turnout would benefit not only the team on the field but the lads off it, including the man he replaced in the line-up, Adam Dent.

His argument was the likes of Dent would gain from a week or so out of the spotlight as he takes his first steps in the pro game and from witnessing at first hand how a Super League star operates.

Just how often Ford now dips into the dual-reg basket remains to be seen - he has said he would play it by ear, and the considerations probably extend to financial ones as well as tactical and ethical.

The rules state, though, that DR players can only play in the all-important promotion play-offs if they have made at least five regular-season appearances.

A new rule also says eligible players can only be registered for one team during the run-in - either the parent club or the borrowing club - so Cas, for example, would have to decide towards the end of term whether to free up any men for the remainder of the season.

Asked if York plan to have dual-reg aces available at that time, Ford said it was “too early to say”.

“There are factors that will influence what happens, such as the situation Cas are in with injuries and the like, and how we’re going on and off the field.”

Dual-reg was introduced in 2013 and has had mixed reviews.

It means players can be registered with a lower league club in addition to their Super League club and, when not in the first-team, can instead turn out in Championship or League One.

While the Swinton-Warrington arrangement drew controversy, York’s inaugural partnership with Hull was scrapped less than a year into a three-year arrangement.

There were complaints about the mindsets of some players who reluctantly made their way over from the KC Stadium, while York’s then boss Gary Thornton often saw his best-laid plans frustrated as Hull either chose or were forced by circumstances to withdraw DR names at whatever notice.

Conversely, the Castleford quartet who turned out for York last year had exemplary attitudes.

Ben Reynolds ended the season as the league’s joint Young Player of the Year, for example, while Webster not only impressed in his outing, the victory at arch-rivals Hunslet, but was also tweeting good luck messages later in the year as York entered the play-offs.

Rugby league family doing their bit for Danny

TRIBUTES AFTER TRAGEDY: Danny Jones, in action for Wales against New Zealand during the 2011 Four Nations

NO rugby league column this week would be complete without a word on Danny Jones.

He never played for York but, boy, did he usually play well against them, including only a few weeks ago when he was arguably Keighley’s man of the match in their League One opening-day win.

The post-mortem, after he collapsed during the Cougars’ game at London Skolars last Sunday, has concluded he passed away from a cardiac arrest triggered by hereditary heart disease, which was not revealed when he underwent an ECG scan in late 2014. He leaves behind a wife, Liz, and five-month-old twins.

A talented and popular rugby league player, a husband and, most importantly, a dad went to play rugby and never came home.

At a time when there are no words, Cougars chief executive Gary Fawcett was in the unenviable position of having to make a statement.

“Whilst the findings of the post-mortem do provide an explanation for why he died, they allow for little comfort for Danny’s family or all those who knew him,” he said.

“His tragically premature death is still very painful for everyone, not least because his heart condition could not even be detected by the ECG.

“All we can do now is mourn his passing, celebrate his life and do everything we can for Danny’s wife Lizzie, their children Bobby and Phoebe, and their wider family.”

The Just Giving page set up by the RFL Benevolent Fund to raise funds for Danny’s family - www.justgiving.com/danny - jones29 - had already received donations totalling £80,000 by yesterday, and many clubs are staging fundraising events this weekend.

Supporters of all teams are also urged, if possible, to go to Keighley’s home game against Coventry tomorrow (3pm) - which is going ahead on the request of Danny’s family after they visited Cougar Park to see tributes left by fans.

Fawcett added: “Following Focus on York City Knights conversations between Danny’s wife Liz and our coach Paul March, we decided the game will go ahead. While it’s not going to be easy for us, especially Danny’s team-mates, this is a chance for us to pay a special rugby league tribute to a special rugby league player.”