HEAD coach James Ford says he would "take a crash course" in project management and enter into talks with City of York Council on behalf of York City Knights if it helped to "protect professional sport in North Yorkshire".

Ford, who retired as a player in the autumn and took over as boss, is preparing for his first-ever game in charge - a friendly against Super League club Hull on Sunday - but, having already been left without a training base due to the community stadium saga, he has now seen the whole future of the club put in doubt after they were confirmed as homeless.

In a scathing personal attack, the council, via a statement from interim director for city and environmental services Sarah Tanburn, firmly laid the blame for the breakdown in talks at Knights chairman John Guildford's door, and stated it would no longer negotiate with him regarding the scheme.

When asked what happens now, Ford, while admitting he had no experience in mediation or project management, said he would be prepared to jump into the breach if need be.

The council has refused to comment on the offer.

"I will do whatever is best for rugby league in North Yorkshire," said Ford, a lecturer in nutrition and physiology at Wakefield College.

"I would need to make it clear I have no experience in managing projects or running a professional sports club, but if I could sit down with the council as a representative of the club I'm more than willing to do that.

"John obviously knows more about running businesses and project management and is more qualified than me but I would be willing to do what is best for the club and the city if I can help.

"At the end of the day, I've got a responsibility to the supporters and the players and I need to do what's best for the group.

"Given the energy, commitment and effort they give me through the week, I have to match that and, if that means taking a crash course in stadium projects and sitting in a room with the council, then I'd do it.

"If it helps all parties, I'm willing to talk with the council on behalf of the club, the players and the supporters."

Ford also gave a heartfelt plea.

He said: "It's very disappointing for professional sport in York and North Yorkshire that there seems to be a lack of cohesion between the parties.

"Professional sport is a really important thing for communities. Sport in general is very important for cities, counties and individuals. It's got the power to bring people together, to help people escape daily stresses and strife of life. It improves people's quality of life.

"You would hope councils and clubs would be able to work together for the benefit of the whole population and, if I can do anything to help protect professional sport in North Yorkshire, then I'd be happy to try.

"I remain hopeful that sooner rather than later they can put differences aside and work together for the benefit of everybody in York."

With the Knights no longer allowed to temporarily groundshare York City 's Bootham Crescent - as had been planned as part of the scheme to redevelop their Huntington Stadium home as a new ground for both clubs - Sunday's match with Hull has been switched to Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium.

Ford said the squad were trying to prepare as normal.

"That's what we as coaches and players are focussing on," he said. "There are some things you have no control over, but, even with all the disruption, preparing for a match is something we can influence.

"The players are aware of what's going on and, believe me, they care about the situation.

"We've asked them to focus on the things they can control and what they can control is how they continue their good work as we build up to the season.

"Part of that is this forthcoming game. We obviously would have preferred to be playing in our own city in front of our own people but that's not going to be.

"The Keepmoat, though, is a fantastic venue - hopefully York's community stadium could be something like this - and it's a good place to play."

When asked to comment on the offer, a council spokesman said: "We’re not getting into a debate about this via The Press. The comment (from Tanburn) was it.

"We continue to liaise via both parties' legal representatives as per the comment."