YORK City Knights have asked for unflinching support from fans in the wake of their losing start to the Championship — amid revelations their playing budget has plummeted 30 per cent this year.

A drop in attendances has added to the club’s adversity on and off the field. The Press can reveal season ticket sales are down ten per cent on 2011 and income from the Lancealotto lottery is down as much as 50 per cent with fewer people buying lottery tickets and fewer volunteers acting as agents.

Sponsorship is down about 50 per cent on 2006 levels.

General manager Ian Wilson has stressed the future of the club was not in danger as they would always “cut our cloth accordingly”, but he said cut-backs in the club’s operation in recent years meant they were working at their most efficient levels ever – so if income fell, it could only come off the playing budget.

He said their plight was based largely on the current economic climate, and, while he admitted results were also a factor, he added: “You can’t spend more money on players unless you have higher income, and sometimes you need success to have higher income. It’s a catch-22.”

In a statement to The Press, the Knights have urged fans to see the team through their tough period, which has brought six consecutive defeats to Championship opponents, including in their first four league games.

It said: “We urge the supporters to stick with us.

“The club is currently operating on a 30 per cent lower budget than in 2011, as a result of reduced levels of income in what are extremely tough economic times, which makes competing with other clubs in the Championship difficult.

“Season ticket sales have been lower than anticipated and lottery income is down.

“The squad builder fund has been a fantastic help, raising more than £16,000 to date, and we urge supporters to carry on contributing when able to do so,” it said.

“The club has also recently appointed a new commercial manager, Ross Potter, to help generate income. If anyone knows of a business or individual who may be interested in sponsoring the club, please forward details.”

The statement also claims mitigating factors to on-field struggles. One concerned injuries, and another the late decision by league chiefs to spare the club relegation.

The club said: “Not knowing we were going to be competing in the Championship in 2012 until late September made recruitment more difficult.

“We appreciate this was the same for Dewsbury (who were also spared relegation) but long-term injuries to key players such as Paul King, Waine Pryce and James Haynes have certainly not helped our cause.

“Once we get our near first-choice team on the field we are confident results will come.

“It is important the supporters carry on supporting the team, as not doing so only adds to the difficulties we face.”