NEW recruit Mark Barlow has stressed the need to work together on and off the pitch as York City Knights bid to make the grade in the Championship.

The 26-year-old utility ace joined from perennial Championship overachievers Batley in this off-season after watching the Knights join the surprise 2010 Northern Rail Cup winners in domestic rugby league’s second tier.

And while he hopes his experience at that level can be of benefit to his new club, he reckons teamwork – in matches and before then in pre-season training – will be key to making a successful step up in class.

“It’s going to be tough. I’ve played Championship football since moving down from Wakefield eight years ago, and anybody can beat anybody.

“We’ve just got to worry about ourselves, train hard and work together. We’re going to stick together – that’s something we have to do – and surprise a few teams.”

Dewsbury-based Barlow began his professional career with hometown club Wakefield and made one Super League appearance, aged 18, at hooker against the then World Club Champions Bradford.

He also had spells at Dewsbury and current Championship champions Halifax before a four-year stint at Batley, which was punctured by a year playing in France with Lyon.

He could have stayed at Batley next year, while Dewsbury also made an approach, but instead opted for a new challenge at Huntington Stadium.

“York are a club going in the right direction,” he said of that decision.

“It’s been great since I joined – the lads are training hard and the coaching staff are really good and have set a really good platform.

“Hopefully we can upset a few clubs when the season starts.”

He added: “We haven’t really spoken about the league. At the moment we’re concentrating on our fitness and physique and getting players in the right condition.

“Most of the players are moving up from Championship One and it will be a step up in fitness and physical presence. But it’s tough for everybody.”

That fitness work has been done under the exacting auspices of Alan Dickinson, the club’s new conditioning coach whose reputation as a tough taskmaster has been upheld so far.

As for getting through those hard sessions, Barlow joked: “I always try to have a smile on my face – even when I’m running up those hills in Pontefract.”

He added: “This is probably the toughest pre-season I’ve done at this level – but it’s standing us in good stead. We need to get our fitness right to compete at this level. You have to put the hard yards in.

“Dicko is putting us through some tough tasks and it’s one hell of a pre-season for us, but it’s good. He knows his stuff.

“We’re sticking together and getting through it.”

As for his 2011 aims, Barlow – who works at a residential home for boys with behavioural problems – said: “I want to stay injury-free and play as well as I can.

“I want to help to get York set as a Championship team and hopefully my experience can help. I want us to win as many games as possible, like everyone.”

• Knights new recruit Matt Garside was sin-binned six minutes into Great Britain Students’ 30-20 Test defeat to the Australian Universities side at Leigh East.

Back-rower Garside, playing at centre, was yellow-carded along with opponent Anthony Don following a brawl. Garside later set up a try with a searing run and won a two-point penalty after being on the end of a high tackle as GB built a 16-0 lead.

The second Test is in Cheltenham tomorrow night.