YORK City Knights rugby league fans have reacted in good humour to a costly date change of their Tetley’s Challenge Cup tie in south France.

The Knights had been led to believe the fifth-round game against Super League side Catalans in Perpignan would take place on Saturday, May 11. However, it has now been switched to Sunday, May 12, at the behest of the French rugby league federation, to avoid a clash with their domestic cup final in nearby Carcassonne.

A small band of Yorkies are expected to make the trip, and some had already booked return flights for the Sunday. They are now having to change travel plans, which means paying for new flights and an extra night’s accommodation. Those going will also probably have to take the Monday off work.

Simon Hall is going with his dad, Gary. They had booked return flights from Leeds-Bradford Airport to Barcelona, from Friday to Sunday, with the intention of catching the train over the Spanish-French border to Perpignan. However, they are now writing off that £72 and booking new flights costing £140, from Manchester to Beziers, returning on the Monday.

“I must be an idiot,” joked Simon. “I said after the bad display at Keighley I’d never go again, and now I’m paying twice to watch them in France.

“It’s the price you pay for supporting your club.

“At least it’s cheaper to get the train to Perpignan from Beziers than Barcelona.”

The Knights, through the Rugby Football League’s travel partners, had booked flights, going out on the Friday and returning on the Sunday afternoon. They have had to put their travel dates back 24 hours, which incurs a price rise, at least partly because the Spanish Grand Prix takes place in Barcelona on the Sunday, increasing the demand for Monday flights.

The club are not out of pocket, though, as their costs are being covered by the RFL as part of the agreement letting French clubs play in the Challenge Cup.

Knights general manager Ian Wilson said: “We’re disappointed for those fans who had already booked. From an organisation point of view, it has been difficult. The players (part-time professionals) are having to swap a day off from the Friday to the Monday, so we hope that doesn’t cause them problems.”