York City Knights are hoping for a bumper turnout from young fans tomorrow as the club gears up for its family fun day.

As reported by this column last week, the game against Gateshead Thunder at Huntington Stadium (ko 3pm) will be turned into a fun-for-all event, with entertainment for kids starting about an hour before kick-off.

And with several thousand free tickets being issued to school children over the past fortnight, the club are hoping more York youngsters can catch Knights fever.

Knights development officer Jason Ramshaw, helped by several players and popular mascot Norris the Knight, has led assemblies in more than 20 York primary schools over the last fortnight to promote the fun day and the club in general, and he was delighted with the reception they received.

"It's been outstanding," he said. "All the schools have welcomed us with open arms and the kids have seemed really keen.

"A lot of the children seem to be aware of York City Knights but have not been down to games before

"We've taken Norris into meet the kids and he's gone down extremely well. Some supporters have taken time out to be Norris and help us out, so I'd like to say a big thank you to them and also to Smart and Cook who have sponsored it."

To gain free admission, the youngsters have to fill in their details on the reverse of the aforementioned tickets - and that gets each one into a free draw for a signed Knights shirt. Furthermore, the school which encourages most children to go down will win a brand new team sports kit. Admission is otherwise still only £1 for under-12s, and £5 for 12-16-year-olds.

All the entertainment on offer, such as a bouncy castle, face painting, games and activities, will be free on admission.

Ramshaw said: "It's hard to predict how many kids will go down to the game, as there are a lot of factors, but we're obviously hoping for a good turnout. We must have talked to a few thousand kids in the assemblies and if we get 10 per cent of these down then that would be brilliant."

THE Evening Press teamed up with the Knights last week to run a competition to win family tickets to tomorrow's fun day.

We asked you what was the name of the Knights' mascot, and the answer was, of course, Norris the Knight.

The response to the competition was so good an extra winner was pulled out of the hat to make six in total.

They are: N Maddison, Wigginton, Charlie Winterburn from York, N Phillips from Green Hammerton, S Fletcher from Sutton on Forest, G Martin from Malton, and Callum Dent from Balby.

They each won free tickets for two adults and two children to tomorrow's fun day.

FREE first buses will run to tomorrow's game at Huntington Stadium.

And with construction work drastically reducing car parking space at Huntington Stadium, fans are urged to take the bus instead of the car.

They go from: Thanet Road Baths (Edmund Wilson), Acomb at 2pm, picking up at Stonebow Job Centre also at 2.15.

Burton Stone Lane (Corner House) 2pm, picking up at Lowther Street (Shops) at 2.15.

Waits at York Railway Station forecourt from 2pm, departing 2.20.

All buses will depart at 5pm from the Sainsburys bus stop on New Lane.

A BUCKET collection will be held at tomorrow's National League Two match against Gateshead at Huntington Stadium in aid of London Broncos youngster Matt King.

The teenager was paralysed from the neck down in an horrific accident while playing in an academy game.

Every professional club has been asked by the Rugby Football League to have a collection for the Matt King Appeal and the Knights will stage theirs tomorrow.

Anyone who can assist with the collection is asked to contact the club office on 01904 656105.

THE Knights Supporters' Club are staging a video night in the Huntington Stadium bar on Thursday showing the recent Barrow Raiders versus Knights game.

Richard Agar's men came from 16-0 down to win 30-16 at Craven Park and fans can now watch the great fightback on a big screen.

Kick off is 7.30pm. Admission is free, although a raffle will take place. The players may be in attendance at some stage after training.

Updated: 10:19 Saturday, May 22, 2004