York City Knights were kicking off their league campaign today buoyed by the fact they have so far had the highest gates of all Division Two clubs.

The Arriva Trains Cup group fixtures, which took place before the start of the National League programme, saw the Knights average 1,572 in their five home matches - the fifth highest in the entire 20-team League.

It was a figure higher than Division One big-guns Hull Kingston Rovers, Whitehaven and Doncaster, and was nearly 500 higher than the next Division Two club, Keighley Cougars.

Knights player-coach Paul Broadbent praised the supporters, saying they were a key component of potential successes. "It's really good," he told the Evening Press.

"It was pleasing we went back up over 1,000 for the Featherstone match last week, when we got nearly 1,500. It's good the York people are getting behind the team.

"There's a feel-good factor about the place and I hope we can maintain and improve our performances to get the right results and send the people home happy."

As reported by the Evening Press, the Knights' average was boosted by the 3,105 attendance which saw the opening Arriva Trains Cup match against Hull KR, while other ATC opponents like Featherstone and Doncaster brought good away backing.

However, such healthy away support is unlikely to come from the majority of the Knights' Division Two opponents throughout the league campaign, and Broadbent has reiterated his call for the York public to make up the numbers.

"The more the merrier," he said. "The more supporters we get, the better the atmosphere and, of course, it means the club get more revenue which stabilises the running of the club and helps us bring on board new players.

"In addition to what we're trying to do on the field, the people working off the field are working hard to make sure people are happy with the environment on match-days to make them come to games and enjoy things as much as possible."

- York City Knights Supporters' Club are to hold an evening of light entertainment on Tuesday, May 6, when the Harlequin Singers will be performing.

Tickets for the evening, which will start at 7.30pm at Huntington Stadium, cost £5 and are available from either the club office on 01904 656105 or from Supporters' Club treasurer Ken Pearson on 01904 769861.

Pictured: The Knights squad that kicks off the 2003 National League Division Two campaign. Back row, from left to right: Craig Westmoreland, Rikki Sheriffe, Gareth Lloyd, Paul Broadbent (player-coach), Darren Callaghan.

Middle row, from left to right: Stephen Harris (kitman), Lee Jackson, Lance Hamilton, Rich Hayes (captain), Andy Burland, Scott Fletcher, David Bolus, Carl Stannard, Michael Embleton, Mick Ramsden, Mark Cain, Graeme Hallas (player-assistant coach).

Front row, from left to right: Darren Robinson, Adam Thaler, Chris Smith, Trevor Krause, Alex Godfrey, Scott Rhodes, John Kain (assistant coach).

Insets, from left: Gavin Molloy, Chris Beever, Matt Blaymire, Jonny Firth.

Updated: 11:10 Friday, April 18, 2003