YORK City Knights have announced an enticing raft of pre-season fixtures ahead of their assault on the Co-operative Championship – on the same night they unveiled the club’s first-ever Dream Team.

The Knights held their luxury shopping night in Bar 13 at Huntington Stadium yesterday, followed by the official launch of their 2011 campaign.

And it was revealed they will follow the annual challenge match for the Lee McTigue Memorial Trophy against a York Select XIII with friendlies against three Super League clubs.

The Dream Team – based on votes submitted by fans – was also disclosed, with former Great Britain hooker Lee Jackson the top pick among the votes.

The Knights’ clash with the Select XIII, picked from the cream of the city’s amateur crop, will be a Christmas special, played on Bank Holiday Monday, December 27 (3pm).

There will then be matches against Castleford on January 16, St Helens on January 23, and Leeds on February 2 (to be confirmed).

There have also been provisional talks with Hull KR for another friendly, possibly on January 9.

It is unlikely these teams will bring their first-choice teams, but it is hoped several Super League players will be on show.

Talking of Super League players, no fewer than five who left the Knights to ply their trade in the top flight have been voted into the club’s inaugural All Stars line-up. Three more were former Super League stars, led by Jackson, who was the most popular pick in the poll.

Fans were asked to submit their choice of Dream Team from all players who have represented the club since the debut 2003 season.

The full-back most supporters selected was Matt Blaymire, who went on to play for Wakefield.

The wingers were record try-scorer Peter Fox, who became an England international, and another home-grown hero, Alex Godfrey.

The centres were current star Lee Waterman, the top points-scorer in Championship One this year, and York schoolteacher Chris Langley, who was the club’s top try-scorer in 2004.

Danny Brough, who went on to lift the Challenge Cup with Hull after his rise to Super League, and former top-flight star Paul March were named the half-backs.

At prop are Australian battering ram Dave Buckley and York legend Rich Hayes, flanking hooker Jackson, and at second-row are another Aussie favourite, Simon Friend, and Jason Golden, who moved up to the top tier.

The club’s first-ever overseas signing, Trevor Krause, was named at loose-forward, forever remembered for his inspirational efforts in the Knights’ inaugural campaign.

Just missing out on the starting XIII, but winning a place on the bench, were forwards Ian Kirke, who went on to win Super League with Leeds, Rob Spicer, former top-flight star David March, and the long-serving Adam Sullivan.

The man chosen as coach was Richard Agar, the current Hull boss, who led the high-scoring entertainers of 2004 that reached the Challenge Cup quarter-finals, Arriva Train Cup semi-finals and the National League Two (Championship One) Grand Final.

Knights general manager Ian Wilson said of the friendlies: “We hope to get some good crowds and a good run-up to the season.”

He added: “We’re also looking to regain the Lee McTigue Trophy but I’m sure (former Knights and York Acorn ARLC star) Darren Callaghan will have his Select XIII fired up.”

He added of the Dream Team: “If we could put this team on the park next season I’m sure we’d do well in the Championship.”