The Knights Ladies fixture has been called off as Bradford will not able to field a team

CHAIRMAN Jon Flatman has urged York City Knights fans along to the LNER Community Stadium for Sunday's double-header.

At 3pm, James Ford's men's team take on Newcastle Thunder in the Betfred Championship before Lindsay Anfield's ladies face Yorkshire rivals Bradford Bulls at 5.15pm in Women's Super League.

It is the first time the sides will have shared a bill at the new Monks Cross stadium and sales are "strong" ahead of the back-to-back contests, with all 220 corporate spaces sold out, Flatman reports.

When she arrived at the Knights, Anfield told The Press that she wanted to be a part of boosting the profile of not only the York side but the women's game as a whole.

And Sunday's exhibition looks as though it will be another step on that journey - a journey on which the Knights are very much to the fore.

“It’s an exciting day ahead on Sunday," Flatman enthused.

"It’s a first for the Community Stadium to have high-quality, back-to-back rugby league games involving men and women from across the city and the wider region.

“It’s something we’re all very much looking forward to.

“It should be top quality, it will be exciting and it’s a great opportunity for those who haven’t seen the ladies game to witness it and enjoy its skill, passion and ferocity.

“I think ladies sport is on an extremely positive trajectory and long may that continue. I think it’s important for us to be involved at the start of that and give the right amount of awareness and resource so that we can enjoy that full journey.

“I urge people to embrace it and to come and experience it, and I’m sure you’ll be hooked.

“We want York City Knights Ladies to be the best they possibly can be and they’re in very safe hands."

York's ladies have been a renewed force under Anfield this season. With Adam Cuthbertson and Callum Windley also on the coaching staff, they currently sit fifth in Women's Super League after years at the bottom.

On top of that, they made history by progressing all the way to the final of the Women's Challenge Cup, where they were eventually beaten by St Helens.

This run included a semi-final victory over Castleford Tigers at the Community Stadium.

Sunday's opposition Bradford have won just one of their five Super League games this season. A fortnight ago, they lost 42-10 to Leeds Rhinos.

“For the ladies to play as many games as possible at the stadium was a firm commitment to Lindsay," Flatman continued.

“She thought it was key to the development of the sport and the athletes in the ladies team.

“It was at the forefront of our minds and this opportunity presented itself. We took full advantage of that opportunity.

“We’d like to thank Bradford for agreeing to play at our home, rather than a neutral venue, which would be the norm at this stage. Hats off to them.

“I’m sure anyone who was able to witness the semi-final at York will testify it is good quality and very watchable.

“We want to showcase as many games as possible in the stadium where the competition allows.

“I’m sure the York City Knights fans will make a tremendous amount of noise.

“We want to make this place a home. It’s people that make a home so let’s get there and enjoy it."