York City Knights’ season tickets price freeze for next year (From York Press)

York City Knights’ season tickets price freeze for next year

10:47am Saturday 20th August 2011 in Diary

THEY might not have looked quite as enticing on Tuesday morning when they were launched, but York City Knights’ season tickets for 2012 today look far better value for money.

Sunday’s thumping defeat at Leigh had fans bemoaning the prospect of a return to Championship One. But now, after Thursday night’s TV classic against Halifax, there is real hope of more Championship rugby league at Huntington Stadium next year.

What’s more, prices for season tickets and vice-president packages have stayed exactly the same as 2011 – effectively making for a reduction in real terms when taking inflation into account.

2012 will also be a special season for the club, marking the tenth year since the Knights’ formation, growing out of the ashes of the defunct York Wasps.

With that in mind, the Knights have launched a special tenth anniversary retro strip – with next year’s home kit, pictured, being the same as the Knights’ first-ever kit for their first-ever campaign, in 2003, albeit with modern material and fashionable fit.

The new away strip also harks back to a previous kit, being not unlike the white, red and black away strip of 2007.

Talking of kits, the Knights are again offering a free replica shirt, worth £42, for anyone buying a season ticket before October 31 – making them even better value for money.

It was probably tricky for Knights chiefs to work out prices for season tickets and VP packages given there is no confirmation yet of the make-up of next year’s Championships, which could well change given Widnes and Toulouse’s departure from the league and uncertainty over Super League leavers Crusaders. No-one still knows how many teams will be involved in each division and therefore how many games will be played.

The Knights, though, wanted to make season tickets and VP packages available in good time to continue cash flow and have an idea of how much money they can put into their playing budget.

Assuming there will be at least 11 home games in the regular season (comprising the Northern Rail Cup group stage and the league), season ticket prices seem pretty competitive, especially when taking off the price of the free replica shirt for those who buy early – it effectively equates to admission for about £9 per match for adults standing.

Season tickets cost £140 for adults (£99 concessions) for standing, and £160 (£120) for seating. For under-16s they remain the bargain price of £25 for standing and £30 for seating.

VP packages stay at £350, again with a host of free benefits, such as a polo shirt, pre-match meals, entry to friendlies and reserves, reserved seat, ticket to the end-of-season presentation ceremony, tickets to the Challenge Cup final, cut-price merchandise, and £100 cash-back for any new vice-presidents brought to games.

THE Knights Foundation will be in York City centre on Parliament Street today selling 2011 replica shirts at just £15 and a selection of other items for just £5. The stall was opening at 9am.

IT remains to be seen whether Thursday’s night’s win over Halifax will be enough to keep the Knights above the trap door.

All eyes will be on tomorrow afternoon’s results at South Leeds Stadium and Post Office Road, where relegation rivals Hunslet and Dewsbury – two of the three will go down – take on Barrow and Featherstone respectively.

Three points for Hunslet, which is possible given Barrow’s inconsistency and the fact they have nothing to play for now, and/or one for Dewsbury, would put either of those teams back in the ascendancy going into the last weekend of the season.

A repeat of Thursday’s performance – and result – in the Knights’ grand finale at Sheffield on September 4 should hopefully be sufficient, but Hunslet have a winnable game against Halifax that weekend, too, so even optimistic York fans should not count their chickens yet. Dewsbury on paper have the toughest task that day, against Leigh.

Regardless of what happens tomorrow, it will be a nervous fortnight for York fans.

THE Press Player of the Year award is looking like a two-horse race between Nathan Freer and Chris Thorman with one game and one Player of the Month award to go. Thorman rose to second on the leaderboard and closed the gap to prop Freer to two points after collecting three for being our man of the match in Thursday’s win over Halifax – having a massive influence on a big occasion on his return from injury.

Another star man accolade against former club Sheffield could yet see him steal the prestigious crown.

Ryan Esders and James Haynes can count themselves unlucky for picking up only two points and one point respectively after their displays against Fax. The other 14 players that night can count themselves unlucky for not getting any after a great team show, especially defensively.

Conversely, few deserved reward following last Sunday’s big defeat at Leigh, the points that day going to Anthony Thackeray (3), Dennis Tuffour (2) and Steve Lewis (1).

The Press Player of the Year standings: Freer 19pts, Thorman 17, Davies 15, Lee 15, Straugheir 14, Bush 12, Benson 9, Thackeray 8, Sutton 8, Esders 7, Massey 7, Presley 5, Jones 5, Ford 3, Clarke 3, Stearman 3, Garside 3, Hemmings 3, Haynes 3, Lewis 3, Waterman 2, Tuffour 2, Barlow 1, Waller 1.

THE destination of The Press Player of the Year award could yet hinge on the last Player of the Month accolade this season, which, as always, is decided by Press readers.

To vote for your best Knights player during August, click on the link on thepress.co.uk or email peter.martini@thepress.co.uk before noon on Wednesday.

This month has seen defeats to Featherstone and Leigh before the wonderful win over Halifax on Thursday night.

There is only the one game in September so the August award will be last Player of the Month this year.

The winner will get three bonus points for his Press Player of the Year tally.

Fundraising fillip for squad builder fund

AS if the result on Thursday night wasn’t good enough for the Knights, the Independent Supporters’ Club also made a donation of £1,250 to the squad builder fund.

The group is headed up by, among others, Gary Hall, Ian Hick and Jim Bone, and they, along with other supporters, have as always worked hard on fundraising events.

Their donation will add to the newly established fund which assists in player recruitment – as seen last week with the retention of ace hooker Jack Lee thanks to such coffers.

Knights general manager Ian Wilson, who is a squad builder committee member along with supporters Simon Hall and Andy Gomersall, said: “We are extremely grateful to everyone who has contributed to the fund so far and to the Independent Supporters’ Club for their efforts.

“The fund has already proved what difference it can make with Jack’s signing and I’m sure it will further benefit the club over the coming months.”

For information on supporters’ fundraising events, check The Press, the Knights’ Internet forum and Facebook page.

As reported, the more money the new squad builder fund makes, the more the Knights can spend on players, which in turn should make for a stronger squad and more fun for the fans.

Supporters are urged to add to the pot where possible, either through fundraising or donations, no matter how big or small, by sending cheques, made payable to YCK Squad Builder Fund, to York City Knights, Roland Court, Huntington Road, York, YO32 9PW, or via bank transfers or standing orders – contact the club on 01904 767404 for account details.