UP-AND-COMING York players met some of rugby league’s big-guns at a fundraising sportsman’s dinner at Featherstone Rovers.

The event, in aid of Rovers’ youth development programme, was attended by former Leeds and Great Britain prop Barrie McDermott, pictured left, and Rovers’ first-team captain Stuart Dickens, right, who had with him the Co-operative Championship League Leaders Shield and Championship Trophy he lifted this year.

Jordan Potter, Jordan Myers and Jack Byrnes, also pictured, all 16 and all from York, are on two-year pro contracts with Rovers’ academy set-up. They started at Acorn and Heworth amateur clubs and were in York City Knights’ junior ranks before new Rugby Football League rules forced the Huntington Stadium club to close their youth section.

Rovers are one of the few clubs outside Super League to continue their juniors but need funds, hence the sportsman’s dinner, which, it is hoped, raised more than £4,500.

The trio’s pre-season training starting this week. Rovers’ under-18s academy squad will play 18 games kicking off in April.

If the York lads impress, they could be signed to Rovers’ reserves squad at the end of next season.

The trio have again thanked their sponsors last season – Atlanta Fitness York, Dunning Plant Hire and MGA Joinery – and will be looking for sponsorship for next year. Anyone interested can e-mail info@featherstonerovers.net