YORK City Knights head coach James Ford has said he is looking forward to the future at the LNER Community Stadium, but will not be forgetting Bootham Crescent.

Since 2016, the Knights have shared York City FC’s home of 88 years, and Ford has expressed his gratitude for a ground that has given them plenty of memories.

Now, both sides are preparing for the move to Monks Cross.

Ford said: “It’s a necessary step for both clubs in terms of their continued growth, and the supporters deserve to be coming to a facility like this to watch sport, and so do the sponsors. The players deserve to be playing in a facility like this.

“We thoroughly enjoyed our time at Bootham. It’s a place full of character and we’ve had some good performances and results there.

“There will be a moment of thought for Bootham Crescent.

“We’re grateful to York City for letting us play there and making us feel as welcome as we did but we’re also really looking forward to the future and moving into this place.

“It’s a fantastic facility,” he continued. “We’ve waited a long time to move in but it’s certainly worth the wait. When supporters and sponsors can come to a game, I think they’ll be suitably impressed.

“It mirrors the city in general. The city is a first-class location and this is a first-class sporting venue.

“I’m sure York City football as well as York City Knights are grateful to be in this facility and it’s up to both sets of players to do their bits on the field.

"Obviously we are disappointed not to be in Super League but that's gone now and we're focusing our prep to give us the best possible chance of being competitive at the very top of the Championship.

“A facility like this will lift the supporters and it will lift the players. I’m really looking forward to coaching York here."