PROP idol Rich Hayes is relishing the challenge of fronting York City Knights' bid for success in National League division two.

As revealed by the Evening Press yesterday, the 32-year-old front-row forward has re-signed for his home-town club from Hull KR in a major coup for the Huntington Stadium outfit.

Regarded as one of the best props in the Northern Ford Premiership over the last decade, Hayes has won a bucket-load of accolades, including an NFP Grand Final triumph, numerous player-of-the-year awards and a place in last season's NFP 'Dream Team'.

His aim now is to achieve yet more wearing the new Knights' shirt. "I'm just looking forward to it all, to getting stuck into training and giving it a good go," he told the Evening Press.

"Playing for your home town is brilliant. You always want to play for your home city and things are looking good here."

Hayes, with two sons and a young daughter, said family commitments were among the reasons why he decided to return for a third spell at Huntington Stadium rather than stay with Hull HR, who were desperate to keep hold of their star prop.

"It makes life easier for us if I don't have to do all the travelling," he explained. "It was a big draw on you and it did not make life easy for my wife.

"Hull KR have been great to me and I can't speak highly enough about the set-up and supporters there. I enjoyed it there and I'm sorry to leave but the way circumstances were it made sense and I'm all too glad to come back to York."

Hayes, whose two boys play for New Earswick All Blacks juniors, added: "We've got a great amateur set-up in York and it was a shame we didn't have a professional team in there for a while so it's great it's got started up again.

"The least we could do as York players is to help the club get back on the road again.

"The Knights are moving in the right direction. Steve Ferres (chief executive), John Guildford (majority shareholder) and Roger Dixon (chairman) are working really hard for the club and are making the right noises."

Hayes - a massive favourite in his previous time with York - joins half-backs Mark Cain and Darren Callaghan as players signed at Huntington Stadium, and both are former team-mates at York and Hull KR.

"They are quality players and the two of them are good mates and play well together. Hopefully we can expect big things from them."

As for player-coach Paul Broadbent, who will be his front-row partner, Hayes added: "He's a legend in rugby. He's gone all the way in the game and has done everything you can do. If the rest of us can match up to him and try to emulate the way he plays we're not going to lose many games.

"It's all geared up for a great season. Hopefully a few more quality players will come on board and we will get off to a flying start."

Hayes has signed a one-year deal but, although he was considering retirement at the end of last season, he has not ruled out extending his career further than 2003.

"I'm going to take every year as it comes," he said. "If I feel good I will play on and hopefully keep playing to a high standard."

Updated: 12:21 Thursday, November 07, 2002