"We'd swap any individual award for the title" - York City Knights boss James Ford

That was his reaction after he and three of his players were nominated for gongs at the 2018 Betfred Championship and League One awards ceremony to be held in Manchester later this month.

As reported on thepress.co.uk, the shortlists were announced yesterday, and York's superb campaign - they top the League One table heading into the final fortnight, ahead of odds-on favourites Bradford Bulls - has been widely recognised, with Ford, half-backs Connor Robinson and Ben Cockayne, and winger Judah Mazive all up for accolades.

However, Ford, who is shortlisted alongside Bradford's John Kear and Workington's Leon Pryce for League One Coach of the Year, said: "If you're offering the title to York and John Kear the Coach of the Year award, I would snap your hand off.

"I didn't come into this line of work for individual recognition and pats on the back.

"I came in because I love rugby league and I love coaching, and I like to help players improve on and off the field.

"If you put all your energy into that, you haven't got time to worry about who's voting for who and that kind of stuff."

He added: "The kind of players we've got, I'm sure they would all forfeit individual recognition if it meant we finished the season hitting our targets."

Robinson and Cockayne are included in a four-man shortlist for League One Player of the Year alongside veteran Workington hooker Sean Penkywicz and Bradford’s Dane Chisholm.

Robinson, the runaway top points- and goal-scorer in the competition, was yesterday named the York supporters' Player of the Year.

Mazive, who has enjoyed a fine maiden season at senior level, notching 16 tries in 18 appearances, is a nominee for League One Young Player of the Year alongside Bradford duo Ethan Ryan, the prolific winger, and stand-off Brandon Pickersgill.

Said Ford: "I'm really pleased for the three players that have been nominated but I think York could have had a host of nominations.

"I'm pleased for Judah but the likes of Ronan Dixon and Will Jubb have had really good seasons too and our other young players also deserve recognition.

"Connor and Benny have been outstanding, not just on game days but in preparation and in meetings - and so have a number of other players.

"Ultimately only so many people can be nominated and I'm sure we will have had a number close to being shortlisted. You can't vote for your own players but if I could, there were a number I would've voted for."

When pressed about his Coach of the Year nomination, Ford - who was also shortlisted 12 months ago and in 2015, his maiden season in charge - said: "Obviously it's nice to be recognised but I don't see it as an individual thing.

"I've got a great set of players who have worked really hard and actively try to improve every week and I have a superb (backroom) team who have done a remarkable job on the fitness, medical and skills side.

"I'm very fortunate to have the support around me that I've got."

Award shortlists:

Championship Player of the Year: Luke Briscoe (Featherstone Rovers), Scott Murrell (Halifax RLFC), Mark Kheirallah (Toulouse Olympique XIII), Johnathon Ford (Toulouse Olympique XIII).

Championship Coach of the Year: Danny Ward (London Broncos), Richard Marshall (Halifax RLFC), Sylvain Houles (Toulouse Olympique XIII).

Championship Young Player of the Year: Harry Newman (Featherstone Rovers), Brandon Moore (Halifax RLFC), Matt Costello (Sheffield Eagles).

League 1 Player of the Year: Ben Cockayne (York City Knights), Connor Robinson (York City Knights), Dane Chisholm (Bradford Bulls) and Sean Penkywicz (Workington Town).

League 1 Coach of the Year: James Ford (York City Knights), John Kear (Bradford Bulls), Leon Pryce (Workington Town).

League 1 Young Player of the Year: Brandon Pickersgill (Bradford Bulls), Ethan Ryan (Bradford Bulls) and Judah Mazive (York City Knights).

The winners will be announced at the 2018 Betfred Championship and League One annual dinner in Manchester on Tuesday, September 25.