THERE has been a bit of hoo-hah from some fans this week on whether York City Knights were correct to agree to play the forthcoming Challenge Cup tie at St Helens on a Friday night.

Some supporters have condemned the decision, saying it would make it difficult to get to the game and indeed prevent some fans from going. And therefore, they claim, the club is ignoring its fans.

While admitting it no doubt makes things difficult - not least for us at the Evening Press due to our weekend deadlines (not that we're after sympathy!) - I believe such claims that the fans are not being considered are wide of the mark.

Okay, it would obviously be great if all the York army could be there to enjoy the day and salute the players' efforts.

However, looking at the wider picture, the best thing for the fans is to have a club that is financially healthy. And, according to St Helens - and who are York to argue with Saints? - playing this tie on a Friday night will generate a much bigger attendance for them than playing it on a Sunday, which in turn, with profits from Cup gates halved, will generate bigger funds for the Knights and thus help to ensure its financial strength.

Furthermore, going by St Helens' calculations, for every one York fan who won't go to the game if it's on a Friday, there could be several Saints fans who, for whatever reason, wouldn't go if it was on a Sunday. Those fans also have to be considered - and, let's be frank, there's more of them than there are of us.

Gary Hall - he who organised the now famous crisis meeting which set the ball rolling towards the Knights following the demise of York Wasps - made a good point too. "We'll have to get used to it when we get to Super League," he said.

It was spoken in jest, of course, but it is a point worth noting in seriousness. If the Knights do achieve their goal, then will these fans, who have complained this week, stop following the club because they play several of their away games on a Friday night?

WHAT would Oldham have given to be playing Saints in a Cup tie, be it on a Sunday afternoon, Friday evening, or midnight on Tuesday.

The Roughyeds, fighting for survival, could have done with beating the Knights and being given a money-spinning tie against Super League giants.

However, the Lancastrians received compensation thanks to the generosity of Knights fans who contributed to the bucket collection during last week's match. And this was acclaimed by Oldham chairman Chris Hamilton in his after-match speech.

Hamilton was hugely grateful for the cash given by York supporters, which, he noted, included single donations of £20 and £30. No doubt York fans could sympathise with the Roughyeds' situation given what happened to York Wasps.

The Knights' directors also put £250 towards the Save Oldham fund and majority shareholder John Guildford said: "Oldham were over the moon with the Knights fans for their donations. Let's hope it has helped to save the club."

STAYING with the Cup, there might be a bit of a gap between the relative pedigree of York and St Helens, but as it stands, the Minster city club are on a par with their forthcoming fifth-round foes when it comes to Cup meetings.

York won the first Cup clash between the sides, back in 1927, and it took Saints 45 years to gain revenge, being victorious in 1972. And the score still stands at 1-1.

It's less of a close-run thing when it comes to league matches at Knowsley Road. York have won only once in 19 visits - and that was back in 1920. Still, it's 1-1 in Cup ties and that's the statistic we'll stick with.

OLDER fans among you may well remember the last time York met Saints in the Challenge Cup, in that 1972 third-round tie.

Tommy Harris was in charge at Clarence Street at the time, with the charismatic Gary Cooper as assistant. It was a match that sticks in the mind of the Evening Press' very own circulation manager, Barry Sellers, a doyen of York rugby league memories.

He explained: "I remember a great big headline in the Press with Gary Cooper saying, 'They'll Think The Minster's Fallen On 'Em,' such was our optimism.

"However, if I remember right, I was back in the bar about 20 minutes after kick-off as the game was already over."

MATCH tickets for the Saints tie on sale from the Knights are standing tickets only. Those wishing to book Main Stand tickets should call St Helens direct on 0870 756 5252.

Phone orders from the Knights are on 01904 758234 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Collection from the Huntington Stadium office is on Thursdays only 5pm to 7pm. Other collection is from the Roland Court office Monday, Wednesday and Friday 1pm to 3pm.

The Knights office will also take bookings for the Suppor-ters Club coaches to this tie.

WITH all this talk about the Cup, let's not forget there are a few vital league matches before then, starting with tomorrow's trip to Keighley.

Times and pick-up points for the Knights' Supporters Club buses running to Cougar Park are:

Haxby (Holly Tree Lane) 11.45am; Huntington Stadium (at the rear) noon; New Lane (opposite Anthea Drive) 12.05pm; Clarence Street (opposite vets) 12.15; Blossom Street (opposite Odeon) 12.25; Tadcaster Road (outside Marriott) 12.30. Coaches will return at 5.45pm.

Provisional prices are: adults £8, over-60s £6, under-16s £5, U12s (accompanied by adult) £1. All bookings are via 07958 569266, stating number of places, membership number and pick-up point. The deadline for bookings is 8pm tonight.

THE Cougars have invited all Knights fans going to tomorrow's game to a race night, which will be held in the Supporters Bar at Cougar Park straight after the match. Money raised will go to Phil Stephenson's testimonial fund.

THE Player of the Year table following the Oldham game will be updated next week.

Updated: 09:25 Saturday, April 09, 2005