YORK City Knights captain Tim Spears has signed a new deal with the club for the 2020 season, taking him into his 18th professional season.

The veteran 35-year-old forward was one of the first players to join York when chairman Jon Flatman took charge of the club at the start of 2017 after eight successful seasons at Featherstone Rovers.

Spears was named as the club's captain by head coach James Ford and has been an influential figure in the side's recent joy as they won the 2018 Betfred League One title and finished in the play-offs of the Championship this year.

In total, Spears has made 71 appearances for the Knights, scoring ten tries. Last year he played 22 times for the club, scoring two tries.

Coach Ford has long hailed Spears' qualities as a leader in the squad and he expressed his joy at securing the skipper for another season.

Ford said: “I’m delighted that Tim is going round again. The leadership qualities he brings to this club are immensely important and central to the progress we’ve made.

"He demands the absolute maximum from everyone around him and his mentality is infectious.

“Tim is still very much focused on being better and that philosophy is a York City Knights trait.”

Spears was quick to praise the "great feeling" around the club after its achievements of the past two seasons and said he's looking forward to a fourth year with the club in 2020.

Spears added: “I am proud and delighted to have agreed a new deal and I am looking forward to next year immensely.

"The Championship is a high quality competition that challenges you almost every week for a good eight months.

“The boys are on their way back from holidays and we are all very committed to working as hard as we can for the next few months to be the best version of York City Knights we can be.

“There’s a great feeling around the place and I’m really excited about the challenges and opportunities that the 2020 Championship will bring, especially in the brand new stadium.”