YORK Knights have been awarded a provisional Grade B ranking in the IMG's new grading criteria for rugby league clubs, sitting in the middle of the overall pack.

The club is currently ranked 17th out of 35, with a total score of 10.05, the sixth-highest score of the current Betfred Championship clubs.

Gradings will come into play at the end of next year, with clubs assessed on five pillars - fandom, stadium, on-field performance, finance and community. 

Up to five points have been awarded for a club’s fandom and on-field performance, 4.5 points for on-field performance, 4.5 points for finance, three points for stadium facilities and 2.5 points for community.

Clubs are split into three categories, A-C, based on their rankings. Grade A clubs will be automatically placed in the Betfred Super League, joined by the highest-ranked Grade B clubs in a 12-team top-flight competition.

Leigh Leopards, the Knights' opponents in the Betfred Challenge Cup Quarter Final this year, currently occupy the final top-flight spot with a score of 12.45.

York are currently just 0.12 behind 16th-placed Widnes Vikings, with Featherstone Rovers just over half a point further in front.

Seven clubs have a Grade A ranking, with Leeds Rhinos leading the way with a score of 17.49 out of the maximum 20 points. Wigan Warriors, St Helens, Catalans Dragons, Warrington Wolves, Hull KR, and Hull FC, are the other clubs to have been awarded the top grade after being marked above the 15-point threshold.

Salford Red Devils have been awarded the provisional highest Grade B score with 13.80 and Betfred League One's Oldham RLFC the highest Grade C score with 7.39, whilst Cornwall RLFC and North Wales Crusaders prop up the rankings with scores of 5.75 and 5.07 respectively.

York Press: The full IMG provisional rankings.The full IMG provisional rankings. (Image: RFL)

IMG provisional Grade A clubs: Leeds Rhinos (17.49), Wigan Warriors (16.87), St Helens (16.78), Catalans Dragons (16.73), Warrington Wolves (15.75), Hull KR (15.52) and Hull FC (15.05).

Grade B clubs: Salford Red Devils (13.80), Huddersfield Giants (13.49), Toulouse Olympique (12.97), Wakefield Trinity (12.52), Leigh Leopards (12.45), Castleford Tigers (12.16), Bradford Bulls (12.02), Featherstone Rovers (10.65), Widnes Vikings  (10.17), York RLFC (10.05), Newcastle Thunder (9.30), Barrow Raiders (9.18), Halifax Panthers (9.06), Batley Bulldogs (8.62), Sheffield Eagles (8.36), Doncaster RLFC (8.11), London Broncos (8.07).

Grade C clubs: Oldham RLFC (7.39), Swinton Lions (7.21), Dewsbury Rams (7.10), Rochdale Hornets (7.03), Hunslet RLFC (6.94), Keighley Cougars (6.58), Workington Town (6.54), Whitehaven  RLFC (6.27), Midlands Hurricanes (5.92), Cornwall RLFC (5.75), North Wales Crusaders (5.07).