YORK City Knights boss Mick Cook reckons giving captain's roles to the 'P' team of Lee Paterson and Dan Potter will bring the best out of the two players.

As reported by the Press, Paterson was unveiled as club captain and Potter team captain this week at a special open evening held at Next Generation on Hull Road.

Cook said: "I've been impressed with Lee's leadership skills. We've got a few new players in and he's made sure they've felt welcome and he's been excellent in training.

"We were looking for someone to have those sort of leadership qualities and look after the team generally. He's been doing a great job so far and it seemed natural to ask him if he wanted that responsibility."

As for Potter, the Knights chief said: "We've been monitoring everybody in training since we came back. We wanted a captain who's been there at the highest level, which is Super League in this country, and somebody who wanted to develop and better themselves and be a natural leader.

"Dan plays pretty strong and last year created and scored a lot of tries for us.

"He knows it's a big responsibility and I think it will be great for his development as a person and bring the best out of him as a player."

The event proved popular, especially with junior supporters. Fans had their photos taken with players - the bulk of the York-based players were there - and got merchandise signed, as well as learning who the new skipper would be.

Next Generation has continued its sponsorship of the Knights, allowing the players to use its top-quality facilities for their fitness regimes.

KNIGHTS players enjoyed a post-training meal at the Jinnah restaurant, Flaxton (on the A64 towards Malton), in the build-up to this season.

The event was to launch the second year of the restaurant's gold sponsorship of the club and they put on the meal to say good luck for the season.

Knights presented the Jinnah with a signed framed shirt and team photo.

By the way, all Knights season-ticket holders get ten per cent off all meals at the Jinnah (booze not included).

KNIGHTS Supporters' Club will be running coaches as normal to away games this year.

The first is on Friday at Sheffield (8pm). Anyone wishing to travel should call the Supporters Club on 07958 569266 leaving their name and telephone number and the names and membership numbers of those wanting a seat.

All fans using the service must show a 2006 membership card for the Supporters Club, or buy annual membership on the coach.

Coaches on Friday will leave Huntington Stadium at 5.15pm direct to Sheffield, and at 5.05pm from New Lane via the city centre. Prices (subject to change) are adults £8, under-16s and over-60s £5, under-12s £1.

Anyone wishing to join or renew membership can pay their subscriptions near to Huntington Stadium's main entrance before and after tomorrow's game.

AN item on Internet auction website Ebay has up for sale four vice-presidents executive tickets for Friday's match between Sheffield and the Knights.

Apparently, the money made will go to charity. The auction ends on Monday evening.

BACK to buses, the times of First York services running to the home game tomorrow are:

Bus 1: Thanet Road, Edmund Wilson Baths 3pm, Stonebow, Job Centre 3.20pm.

Bus 2: Crichton Avenue Bridge (bottom of Burton Stone Lane) 3pm, Lowther Street shops 3.20pm;

Bus 3: Railway station 3.20pm;

Bus 4: Hull Road (back of Badger Hill shops) 3pm, Tang Hall Lane (opposite Co-op) 3.05pm, Bad Bargain Lane (opposite Burnholme School) 3.10pm, Ashley Park Bridge 3.15pm, Woodlands Grove (opposite the end of Elmpark Way) 3.20pm.

Extra bus (this week only): Crichton Avenue Bridge (bottom of Burton Stone Lane) 3.30-3.35pm.

All return buses will leave the stadium 15 minutes after the final hooter.

RUBBISH fact. Last year, the Knights visited Castleford in their first game of the season after playing Hull in the last pre-season match. This year, Hull, having played York in their last friendly, opened their season at Cas last night. Not particularly amazing, I know.

Have your say in Player of the Year and Month competitions

COLLIER Plant Hire has once again teamed up with the Evening Press to sponsor our annual Player of the Season competition.

Last year's award, including £300 cash courtesy of Colliers, was won by prop star Adam Sullivan, with Matt Blaymire getting the runner-up prize of £150.

This season's prize fund has been upped to £600 thanks to the Copmanthorpe-based company. The winner's prize has risen to £400, the runner-up will get £150 and there is now a £50 award to whoever finishes third in the standings.

Press readers will again have their say in who wins the Player of the Year awards, as well as the Evening Press Player of the Month gongs.

The two competitions will work as they did last year.

Basically, the Press' man of the match in each game gains three Player of the Year points, and whoever is deemed the second-best and third-best players will get two and one points respectively.

Fans, meanwhile, vote for their Player of the Month at the end of every month. Whoever tops that poll wins that gong and gets three points added on to their Player of the Year total.

Just as last year, every reader who sends in a vote goes into a hat to win the chance to present the monthly award to the victor at Huntington Stadium before a match.

Updated: 09:57 Saturday, February 11, 2006