YORK City Knights are set to be backed by a huge four-figure crowd on Sunday for their LHF Healthplan National League One Qualifying Final at Widnes.

At the last count yesterday, the club had 180 tickets left to sell from their total allocation of 1,000, while many more fans had bought tickets direct from the Rugby Football League hotline.

Fans are advised to snap up the remaining tickets from Huntington Stadium (01904 656105) early today as all tickets still left at 2pm have to be returned to the RFL to go on public sale to fans of all clubs.

Tickets for the triple-header National League Finals Day were also fast running out from the RFL hotline (0870 990 1313), with supporters of NL1 Grand Finalists Leigh and Whitehaven, plus the Knights' opponents Halifax, also buying them through this route.

The Knights Supporters' Club alone are to take six buses to Sunday's triple-header.

The initial departure venue is yet to be decided. It will be either Huntington Stadium or the Monks Cross Park and Ride facility, though either way cars should be left at the stadium car park. Details to be confirmed. Pick-up times are listed below.

Some coaches will return after the Knights match with others staying on for the NL1 Grand Final which follows.

The early return coaches will leave at 5.30pm, with a possible stop on the way home. The later coaches will leave at 8pm and come straight back. All coaches will return through the centre of York and terminate at Huntington Stadium. Any Haxby-based fans can be dropped off after that, as the coaches return to their depots via the village.

Prices are: adults £10; concessions and 12-16-year-olds £5; under-12s accompanied by an adult or concession £1.

All bookings should be made via the club office before 5pm on Friday. There will be no further bookings. Fans can turn up on the day - be at the stadium by 10.30am - but availability cannot be guaranteed.

Pick-up points and times: Haxby (outside Memorial Hall) 10.15am; stadium (exact location TBC) 10.30 onwards; New Lane (opposite Anthea Drive) 10.45; Dodsworth Avenue (opposite shops) 10.50; Clarence Street (opposite vets) 10.55; Exhibition Square (outside theatre) 11.00; Blossom Street (opposite Odeon) 11.05; Tadcaster Road (outside Marriott) 11.10.

Special coach pass arrangements are in effect on Sunday as there is no parking available at Widnes. Anyone arranging their own coach or mini-bus should contact the Knights office before noon tomorrow.

Updated: 10:13 Thursday, October 07, 2004