DENNIS TUFFOUR reckons kicking off with a match against arch-rivals Hunslet is a great way for York City Knights to start their assault on the Championship.

The fixtures for 2011 were unveiled this week and the Knights, who followed Championship One winners Hunslet into the higher tier by winning the play-offs, get to kick off their league campaign with a trip to the John Charles Stadium on March 13.

The Hawks won both matches between the sides last season as they stormed to the title, but York cult hero Tuffour is eager to turn the tables next year.

“There are some scores to settle with Hunslet,” said the winger, when asked which fixtures stood out.

“We lost to them last year and half of their players used to play for York. That’s something I’d want to mend. I played against them in one of the games and it wasn’t nice to lose.

“That’s a good game to start with. Hopefully neither side will go into the league campaign with injuries so there will be no excuses for the team that loses.”

London-born Tuffour became a fans’ favourite at Huntington Stadium in an 11-match spell in mid-season while dual-registered and then on loan, a stint which brought nine tries.

He made a permanent switch from Super League club Hull this off-season, having turned down offers from a few rival Championship clubs. The Knights’ season begins on February 6 with the first Northern Rail Cup group match, away to Barrow.

“I didn’t think I was going to get much of a chance at Hull and I wanted to move on my career,” explained the 21-year-old, who remained on the first-team fringes on his return to the KC Stadium in July.

“York had looked after me, and the lads there are all down to earth and no one’s big-headed. I’d been there already and enjoyed it and the coaching staff are good.

“There’s a level playing-field for the lads. If someone like Chris Thorman misses a training session, he will get rollocked like anyone else. It’s the same for everyone and the team spirit is good.

“The fans there are also good. From my first game the support was great. The relationship between the players and the fans and how they’ve been to me is excellent.

“They’re a really good crowd to play in front of. Even if you’re not doing well, they’re able to pick out the good bits you do and support you through it.”