JAMES HAYNES has issued a come and get me plea to York City Knights – after his super show helped the club to Grand Final glory.

Haynes was the Press man of the match in the Knights’ 25-4 Co-operative Championship One play-off final victory over Oldham, which saw the club beat the odds and win promotion after a season fraught with adversity.

The former Hull academy youngster was on loan at Huntington Stadium from parent club Hull KR but he becomes a free agent as soon as the rugby league season officially ends.

His performance in the televised clash at the Halliwell Jones Stadium put him firmly in the shop window but, while he would ideally like a new Super League contract, he says he would otherwise be happy to stay at York if a deal could be agreed.

“We’re in the Championship now and that’s a good springboard back to Super League,” Haynes, pictured left, told The Press.

“I’ve really enjoyed it here. The players are brilliant. I travel from Hull with people like Lee Waterman and Brett Waller. The coaching is good, the players are good, and if we can keep the majority of this squad together for next season I think we could shock a few people.”

Haynes himself has had a campaign not without adversity, having seen a season-long loan in the Championship with Dewsbury Rams curtailed early.

This preceded his switch to York for the last half-dozen games of the regular season, but even then he was not guaranteed a starting berth, having sat out a couple of matches due to a shoulder injury and then being left out of the starting 13 in the qualifying semi-final against the Roughyeds.

He impressed in the eliminator against Blackpool, though, and was excellent on Sunday, capping his display with a fine try – his first for the club in six appearances.

He said: “Three weeks ago I was on the bench not getting in the (starting) team, but I got my chance against Blackpool and I thought I did well.

“I was picked again and I tried to take the opportunity with both hands, and I thought I did that.

“We were fantastic in the final.”

The Knights players are to receive special commemorative promotion medals from the Supporters’ Club on Friday night.

The Rugby Football League only give medals to the Championship One title-winners and not to the club that wins the play-offs.

But the fans’ group, in conjunction with Cueball Snooker Club, are to step into the breach.

Their medals will be presented in Bar 13, at Huntington Stadium, at a specially arranged event to be held after the players' end-of-season debriefing session.

A re-run of Sunday's Grand Final win will be played on the big screen at 6.40pm, after which the medals will be presented.

The Press/Northern Player of the Year trophy will also be presented.

Admission is free, and the bar will be open from 6.30pm.

The Supporters' Club will also stage a fundraising race night on Saturday at Huntington Sports Club.

The Super League Grand Final between Wigan and St Helens will be shown at 6pm, to be followed by the race night and karaoke, including a chicken and chips supper.

Tickets to the race night cost £5 and are available from Gary Hall, on 01904 634902.

Money raised goes to the Knights’ pre-season training fund.