ONE-TIME York RL legend Brad Davis heads the list of candidates to succeed outgoing York City Knights coach Richard Agar.

The Hull-bound Agar today hailed the Huntington Stadium job as a great opportunity for aspiring coaches as the rumour mill got to work on his replacement.

Names thrown into the mixer by fans have included Davis, Graham Steadman and Neil Kelly, plus and current Knights staff Jason Ramshaw and Lee Jackson.

Both Davis - who this year became the oldest player ever to score in the Super League for Castleford Tigers aged 36 - and current Knights skipper Jackson would both be popular with supporters, and both have indicated that the clock is running down on their time as players.

Former Tigers coach Steadman is currently one of Brian Noble's assistants in the Great Britain set-up until the end of the year, which would echo Agar's previous GB Students involvement.

An announcement has been promised by the end of the Knights' play-off campaign.

But whoever takes it on will do so with the skeleton of a successful squad already in place, insisted Agar.

He said: "Steve (Ferres, the Knights' chief executive) and I have talked about re-signing certain members of the squad, although ultimately the guy who takes over will have to decide.

"What I would say is that it's a fantastic job. If there's any aspiring coaches who want a go-forward club with a good staff and set-up then I'd say this is the ideal place.

"The backroom staff here are one of the best I have ever seen."

Agar explained that personal considerations played a big part in his decision.

He said: "From my point of view, I can relate to the situation Paul Broadbent found himself in last year. You are doing a full-time job in your spare hours.

"It had come to the point that I would soon have to make the decision whether I wanted to go full-time or walk away.

"I have been very proud and honoured to be here but it is just taking up more and more time.

"The season now stretches to 11 months with very little off season and it can start to get relentless."

But while his mind may seem to be elsewhere, Agar reassured fans his heart is still in York.

He said: "I start on the first of December but until then our goal is to get York into the play-off final and hopefully win promotion.

"There are some players at York who know full well they are unlikely to be here next season but that doesn't stop them wanting to play for York and getting into a grand final. And it's just like that for me.

"Regardless of what is coming up, we want to go to that final and do well.

"It's been a great year and I hope we can wrap that up with something to celebrate."

Updated: 10:12 Tuesday, September 14, 2004