CAPTAIN marvel Tim Spears has hailed the "exceptional" journey he has been on at York City Knights - and confirmed he wants to remain part of it in 2019.

He also said beating the odds and winning the Betfred League One crown this year "was up there" with all the success he enjoyed at Featherstone Rovers in the tier above.

Spears, upon his surprise release by Rovers two years ago, became one of the new Knights regime's marquee signings following their December 2016 takeover. Not only did he step down a division but he also stepped into the unknown, to a club and a squad starting afresh after dicing with closure.

But the 34-year-old has since fronted a stunning upturn in fortunes on the pitch which ended with James Ford's team winning 24 of 26 league games this year to beat West Yorkshire giants Bradford Bulls to the sole automatic promotion spot back to the Championship.

His current deal is now up but The Press understands both the player and the club are keen he remains in the Minster city - with Spears saying he has enjoyed his rugby at York as much as anywhere in his career.

Reflecting on a startling campaign, Spears said: "I won seven trophies at Featherstone - and I think this one at York is right up there.

"It's for different reasons.

"Firstly you never get bored of winning trophies, and (the day we won it) was such a brilliant occasion.

"When I left Featherstone it was a bit unexpected and it was quite late in the day.

"I was 32 and I was thinking, 'Is this it? Have I got it in me to go anywhere else and have another crack?'

"I went to York and I think we lost the first three games of the 2017 season. We lost at Oxford and I was thinking, 'Is this what it's come to?'

"But then seeing the club grow as it has has been great - and several people have been influential in that, from Jon Flatman (chairman), James Ford (head coach), the coaching staff, and the players that have come in.

"It's just grown week on week, month on month.

"Then to be playing in front of three and a half thousand people and pipping Bradford Bulls to the post, and winning the league against a good Whitehaven team - it's brilliant.

"I'm really proud of what we've achieved together - it's been pretty special.

"On top of that, the number of people who now talk about York in a really positive manner makes you really proud."

The inspirational loose-forward added: "We were 12-1 with the bookies at the start of the season to win the league.

"We didn't think that was right.

"We also had this mantra about beating Bradford. To hear them talking about next year being in the Championship added more fuel to the fire, and there were one or two other things coming out of there, such as John Kear questioning how we'd handle the pressure."

Spears led Featherstone to four consecutive Championship League Leaders Shields from 2010 to 2013, the Championship Shield in 2015 and a place in the Middle 8s in 2016 immediately prior to his move to York. He also - ironically - turned down Bradford when he first joined the Knights.

He added: "I remember when I first signed and people were asking if I'd gone for a pension or to wind down - that couldn't be further from the truth.

"That's maybe how people used to see this club. Now people see it as a fantastic club where people want to go and play and watch and get involved.

"I've enjoyed my rugby at York as much as anywhere in my career.

"It's been an exceptional journey this year. It's been brilliant."

Now 34, there were rumours he might follow Andy Ellis into retirement.

But he said: "I want to play on - and I want to play for York.

"I think the club is going places and I want to be part of it.

"I'd like to think I have a bit left in the tank to offer, where I feel I'm contributing. I want to carry on for sure.

"I don't want to play anywhere else.

"I also want to play in the Championship again next year and play in those big games.

"I think the older you get the more you appreciate them. You savour them more and you can manage that nervous energy the right way and appreciate the occasion.

"The Whitehaven game, for example, was a privilege to play in and the Championship brings more of those kinds of games."