York City Knights chiefs are hoping to eye up potential stars on Thursday when the club stages a trial match at Huntington Stadium.

Players from all over the country have asked for a run-out in front of Knights player-coach Paul Broadbent and chief executive Steve Ferres as they bid to win a contract with the new National League club.

Ferres, who had tried in vain to line up an amateur club as opposition, said the plan was now to pit the trialists up against each other. Twenty players are already set to try out for the club and Ferres said it was likely at least six more would come forward before Thursday to make two teams.

The match is provisionally booked for a 7.30pm kick off, and anyone interested in having a run-out should contact Knights secretary Leanne Cooper at the Knights office, tel 01904 656105.

Ferres said: "The format will be decided once we know how many players are available. Anyone wishing to be considered should contact Leanne and leave a message for Paul Broadbent and we'll take it from there.

"We've had inquiries from 20 players from all over the country, from places like Sheffield, Huddersfield and Cumbria as well as York. They'll be coming from all over.

"Some are ex-professionals, some play amateur rugby, others are students. There's a big mix and we will have to see what comes out of it."

Ferres said the match might also prove beneficial to York's amateur clubs as well as the Knights.

"In addition to being a trial match for us, there might be an opening for players to join Heworth, Acorn, New Earswick or York Groves so if following the match a player is picked up by an amateur club then it will have proved worthwhile," he said.

Admission for fans is free.

Meanwhile, organisers of next year's York Nines Rugby League Festival are trying to incorporate a York City Knights fixture into the weekend jamboree.

As reported by the Evening Press, the festival, which will see teams from all over the world take part, will be staged over two days on the weekend of June 21 and 22, 2003 at Heworth.

And proposals put forward to the Rugby Football League have asked for the Knights to be given a home match that weekend, preferably to be played on the Saturday evening so it can fit into the festival programme.

Organisers are hopeful that the Knights could play their fellow National League new-boys London Skolars that day, a club who - like many of the UK-based teams set to enter the York Nines - were founded in the RL Summer Conference for sides from mainly non-traditional RL heartlands.

The Knights have given their full backing to the plans but are now awaiting a response from the RFL.

Ferres said: "We've requested co-operation from the RFL to stage that game on the festival weekend.

"The RFL will give it due consideration and we will take it from there.

"Staging this match during the festival would be of benefit to both the amateur and professional game. We're in sync with that plan and would be delighted to be part of the festival."

The brains behind this year's inaugural York RL Festival, Lionel Hurst - who has confirmed he will again be involved in next year's event - said: "We would like York City Knights to be part of the festival.

"It would be illogical if the Knights were playing away from home when we've got the festival on in their home city."

Hurst, who has been in contact with Ferres, added: "It's all part and parcel of the bigger picture for the festival.

"We're seeing the emergence of York City Knights and they have an open invitation to be part of the festival."

The plan would be to stage some York Nines group matches - both in the main Fairfax Cup competition and the Marston Moor Cup for York youngsters - on the Saturday, with the Knights' match played in the evening. The concluding matches in the Fairfax and Marston Moor Cups would be held on the Sunday.

Hurst, who has accepted a position on the board at Cheltenham RUFC - as reported by the Evening Press in August - remains a staunch rugby league supporter and keen to help get York on the rugby league map.

"We all know rugby league is a wonderful game which has not yet fulfilled its world-wide potential. Hopefully things like the York Nines will act as a catalyst in that regard."

Updated: 13:01 Saturday, November 02, 2002