York Lokomotiv boss to take debut season week by week

9:32am Thursday 8th May 2008

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YORK Lokomotiv ARLC kick off their first-ever season on Saturday with coach Paul McDermott admitting they are entering the unknown.

The Lokos, formed by the old York Groves winter team and the York RI sports club, have joined the Rugby League Conference, the summer-based amateur competition which aims to expand the sport all over the country.

They are in the Yorkshire division of the league's Regional section and kick off the campaign away to Bridlington Bulls. Other opponents include similarly well-established sides Scarborough Pirates, Leeds Akkies and East Riding, and another new club, Northallerton Stallions. There are ten league fixtures, followed by inter-regional play-offs.

McDermott, with a distinguished playing and coaching career behind him, has experience of the Summer Conference with Crigglestone a few years ago. But he has set no targets for his new charges, other than to give their all, enjoy it and improve.

"I don't know what the standard of the league is," said the 51-year-old, who is the brother of Harlequins RL boss and former Bradford star Brian McDermott.

"It's virgin territory for the club. We'll see what it's made of and take it week by week.

"I will say we've got some talented players here who have shown the correct attitude, and I will try to improve them. After this weekend we will know more."

The Lokos, who have brought in players from all walks of the game, with some returning to the sport, have had only one friendly, a 52-1 defeat to a York City Knights XIII, which, despite the scoreline, brought great encouragement.

"Doing it in training is different to doing it on the field, but I was encouraged by the game against the Knights," said McDermott.

"It's a new venture and people are looking forward to playing in the summer rather than the slog of the winter. The concept of the Summer Conference is excellent and I'm as enthusiastic about coaching as ever."

McDermott actually began coaching as a teenager, helping out local clubs in Wakefield. He later took Eastmoor into the National Conference, took local pub team Walnut Warriors to two National Cup semi-finals, and, in the mid-to-late 1990s, was employed by Wakefield Trinity as academy coach and first-team assistant. Players under his charge included Knights twins Paul and David March.

More recently, he has guest coached amateur teams, including Groves, having left Crigglestone three years ago.

As a player, he starred at York, being part of the team that won promotion from the old Second Division in 1981.

He added: "Lokos' preparations were always going to be stilted because people have come from different places. I'm concentrating on enthusiasm and enjoyment of playing, and that was very much in evidence against the Knights.

"Even though York were bigger and stronger, the Lokos stuck to it.

"I try to make training a bit different each week and they've responded. I'm happy with the way it's gone and the enthusiasm shown. I'm not bothered about the league position at the moment. I want to make sure we improve each week, and we'll work up from there."

The Lokos, who play at RI's New Lane ground, need match-day helpers. Contact secretary Andy Starkey on 07723 373259 for details.

York Lokomotiv fixtures 2008

(kick off 2.30pm except where stated)Sat, May 10: Bridlington Bulls AFri, May 16: Scarborough Pirates H 7pmSat, May 24 Leeds Akkies ASat, May 31 Northallerton Stallions ASat, June 7 East Riding Rangers HSat, June 14 Bridlington Bulls HSat, June 21 Scarborough Pirates A Sat, June 28 Leeds Akkies HWed, July 2 Northallerton Stallions H (7pm)Saturday, July 5 York 9sSaturday, July 12 East Riding Rangers A