THIS week sees the end of an “odd” era at York City Knights, as one of the men who has been on the back-room staff for the past five years heads off for pastures new.

Barrie Gargan, always a popular member of the boot room, is moving to Portsmouth and so his last first-team game at Huntington Stadium was Saturday night’s match against Toulouse.

For those that don’t know, Barrie is the one who habitually turns up in odd socks, generally carrying out his on-pitch duties with the team wearing one ‘home’ sock and one ‘away’ sock. Don’t ask me why.

Those duties, on match-days and in training, have included helping the team warm up, being a water carrier, a trainer, a stand-in kit man and stats man, a coaching assistant and an assistant-coach for the reserves, firstly to the late Paul Higgins and then to current reserves boss Mick Ramsden. Indeed he was there on Thursday night as Ramsden’s young guns beat Dewsbury.

The club themselves gave him a signed shirt as thanks for his services, while the supporters’ club went a bit further and got him a commemorative silver salver, inscribed with the legend “Odd Socks”, which they surprised him with in a presentation at half-time of the Toulouse game.

Ian Hick, better known as Big Ian, of the supporters’ club, said: “It’s just a thank you to Barrie for all his work and the service he’s given the club.

“He’s been there through hard times and good times and he will be missed.”

Knights general manager Ian Wilson could not agree more. “You can never have too many volunteers, especially those with the commitment and dedication that Baz has given to the club.”

“He’s been happy to help out in any way he can and he is somebody who will be missed – I know that for a fact,” added Wilson.

“I’m sure Baz will miss it as well. He was really proud when the club won the Grand Final last season and so he’s got some good memories to take with him.”

From a big rugby league-playing family in York, Gargan played for the old Southlands and Tramways amateur clubs and later joined the coaching ranks at York Acorn, where his sons, Andy and Tom, play.

He first came down to Huntington Stadium before the 2007 season when giving Andy – who had just signed for the Knights – a lift to training. He has been there ever since.

Said Gargan: “I’ve enjoyed it. You meet some great people in this game and I’ve met a lot of friends here. I’m going to miss it but that’s the way it goes.”

IT’S a big shame the team could not send Barrie off with one last good memory before his move south – regardless of the fact their surprise defeat left them back in relegation danger.

After the highs of victory over Dewsbury and Batley, the Knights crashed back down to earth with a pasting by bottom club Toulouse, who few would argue deserved their win after a fine second-half performance while the home team sadly waned, complacency having possibly got them into a rut they were unable to snap back out of.

Few home players came out of the match with credit, although Duane Straugheir was one, being awarded The Press man of the match accolade and maintaining his decent form following on from his recent Press Player of the Month gong.

Straugheir thereby picks up three points for his Press Player of the Year tally, while prop duo Alex Benson and Nathan Freer, who were largely error-free and in a way were missed when they weren’t on the pitch, earn two points and one point respectively.

Press Player of the Year standings: Davies 15pts, Lee 15, Thorman 14, Straugheir 14, Freer 14, Bush 9, Sutton 8, Benson 8, Massey 7, Presley 5, Thackeray 5, Jones 5, Esders 5, Ford 3, Clarke 3, Stearman 3, Garside 3, Waterman 2, Lewis 2, Barlow 1.

THE result against Toulouse could mean the forthcoming double-header against Halifax will be crucial.

The Knights’ remaining five games include clashes with title-contenders Leigh and Featherstone, form-finding Sheffield Eagles and home and away matches against Fax, starting with a trip to The Shay a week tomorrow. Fans are urged to turn up in numbers. Supporters’ bus details will be published in due course, and anyone travelling by train should visit the Transpennine Express website, www.tpexpress.co.uk, for times and fares.

THE Knights are recruiting canvassers for their Lancealotto lottery scheme which helps to support the club’s community development programme.

This programme works with thousands of youngsters in the York and North Yorkshire area each year.

Positions are available on a commission basis and canvassers can work as many hours as they wish. Signing up five members per day could earn £250 per week. Anyone interested should phone Ian Wilson at the Knights’ office on 01904 767404.

THE York Rugby League Independent Supporters Crew are holding a race night on Saturday at the Cueball Club on James Street.

The first race is at 8pm and all funds raised will go to squad builder fund. Everyone is welcome.

The crew are also running a trip on Saturday, August 6 to Kinsley Dogs.

A coach will leave Huntington Stadium at 5.15p, and Kinsley at midnight.

The cost is £17, to include coach and entrance. Anyone interested should phone Ian on 07808 139533.