York City Knights are waiting to hear back from Widnes Vikings after making an offer for Anthony Thackeray and James Ford – with an outside chance the pair could be signed in time to make debuts in tomorrow’s big Huntington Stadium clash with arch-foes Hunslet.

The Vikings announced earlier this week that half-back Thackeray and pacy threequarter Ford, along with Kirk Netherton and Chris Gerrard, would not be handed Super League contracts next year following the club’s successful application for a top tier franchise. They have also been released from first-team duties this term.

The Knights made a quick move, which, if accepted, would pave the way for talks with the two players later today. However, The Press understands that Championship rivals Barrow, Halifax and Sheffield have also expressed an interest in Thackeray.

Knights general manager Ian Wilson said: “We spoke with (Widnes director of rugby) Paul Cullen yesterday and made an offer for the pair. Paul is now talking with Widnes chairman Steve O’Connor and we expect further contact with them today.”

Thackeray, 25 played six times for the Knights at the start of 2007 while on loan from Hull, scoring five tries. He played twice in Super League for the Airlie Birds before joining Castleford, for whom he scored eight tries in 18 games between 2007 and 2008.

He was a key figure as Widnes lifted the 2009 Northern Rail Cup – a triumph which ironically paved the way for a Super League application – and was the Vikings’ leading try-scorer in 2010 as well as the Co-operative Championship Player of the Year.

His release was even more surprising as he signed a new two-year deal, partly funded by Vikings’ fans, in September. He also scored two tries in Widnes’ 76-12 hammering of the Knights this month.

Ford, 28, has averaged a try every two games over his career which began with Featherstone and took in three prolific seasons with Sheffield and a spell in Super League with Castleford in 2008, before his switch to the Stobart Stadium. He scored four tries on his Vikings debut but saw his 2010 season interrupted by injury.

Cullen said of the decision to axe the quartet: “This is a direct result of the performances so far this season at first-team level and is phase one of the club’s 2011 assessment process.

“The club would like to sincerely thank the four players for their contribution toward our successful Super League licence application.

“All four of them have taken the decision with dignity and maturity and have been model professionals throughout.”

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