Main attraction

The expectation of a big turnout led to the match becoming the first Knights home game to be made all ticket.

However, hopes of a new record club attendance could be a little optimistic, justifying the decision to keep the game at Huntington rather than switch it to Bootham (sorry KitKat) Crescent.

Castleford have reported a relatively low number of sales with more than 300 of their 1,300 allocation going unsold. Sources at The Jungle say many of their fans probably did not know the game had been made all-ticket despite the publicity, and others may have been put off from trying believing they would not be able to get some. Tickets have sold steadily at the Knights, meanwhile, with more than 1,000 being snapped up by Friday lunch time.

With Cas tipped to bring an army of supporters with them to supplement the Knights' largest average National League Two crowd figures, there had been calls to switch the game to KitKat Crescent, which has a much bigger capacity.

But with additional ground and security costs plus the loss of sponsors' and hospitality box revenue, the Press understands a gate of about 5,000 would be needed to make the move profitable.

The Knights yesterday announced that remaining tickets would be available on match day from the office for cash buyers only, which could add a significant boost to numbers.

But anything less than the current record of 3,105 set against Hull KR - and indeed the capacity of 3,482 - would support the decision to stay at Huntington.

Barring friendly fixtures (including the 3,509 attendance for Knights v Leeds at Bootham Crescent in January this year), the Knights' home record crowd was set on their first-ever match, at home to Hull KR in January 2003, which brought in a near-capacity 3,105.

The capacity of the ground is now 3,482, though it used to be about 5,000 before new safety regulations were introduced.

They have topped the 2,000 mark three more times, with the 2,519 that turned out on the 'family fun day' against Gateshead last season being a National League Two record, topping the 1,835 that saw the Knights beat Keighley in 2003.

THE Knights got a huge pat on the back from rugby league scribe and famous BBC commentator Ray French this week.

In his column, the French Connection, in weekly trade paper League Weekly, French lauds the Knights for their glossy 'Knights News' booklet.

He wrote: "The booklet is full of interesting news for the fans of the club and is packed with colour photos which highlight just how much is happening on and off the pitch at Huntington Stadium.

"Steve Ferres, now sadly no longer at the helm, Mick Cook, Leanne Cooper, Ros Buckley, Peter Salter, Adele Claxton, Jason Ramshaw, Ian Wilson, Cath Murray, chairman Roger Dixon and many more behind the scenes have done so much to reinvigorate rugby league in the city of York.

"The booklet is testimony to the confidence that now abounds within the club and the professional expertise which is taking it forward. Well done everyone."

YORK lost an unwanted record last week thanks to Rochdale's historic walloping of amateurs Illingworth.

The Hornets' 120-4 demolition of the Pennine League side set a new record Challenge Cup score (surpassing Huddersfield's 119-2 defeat of Swinton Park back in 1914) and brought a club record 18 goals in a match and 34 points in a match for Lee Birdseye.

And - and this is the important bit - it was also a new highest score for the Spotland club, beating the 98-0 annihilation of York Wasps in 2001.

It was still some way short of the biggest win in British club history, which is Huddersfield's 142-4 defeat of Blackpool Gladiators in a Regal Trophy home tie in 1994.

THE Knights Supporters Club will run coaches to the Good Friday game at Hunslet next week (ko 7.30pm).

Route one is Haxby 5pm, Huntington Stadium 5.20, New Lane 5.25, while route two is Clarence Street 5.15pm, Blossom Street 5.25, Tadcaster Road 5.30, all at the usual pick-up places. The return coaches leave at 9.30pm.

Only Supporters' Club members can travel on these coaches. To book, call or text 07958 569266 stating your name, membership number, number of seats required and place of pick-up.

Fares are: adults £7; under-16s £5, over-60s £5, under-12s £1.

THE Supporters Club are staging a Sixties Disco night in the Huntington Stadium bar next Saturday, 7.30pm start.

Tickets cost £5 for Supporters Club members, £7 for non-members and £2 for under-16s, prices to include supper. (It's cheaper for U16s coz they don't know the songs.)

The DJs are 'match-day music man' Gary Hall and 'fan with the drum' Big Ian. Tickets will be available from Big Ian on match-day tomorrow or on 07808 139533.

Knights' highest home attendances

(Friendly fixtures not counted)

3,105 v Hull KR, Jan 19, 2003, Arriva Trains Cup (L 36-26)

2,519 v Gateshead, May 23, 2004, National League Two (W 48-12)

2,039 v Batley, Feb 1, 2004, Arriva Trains Cup (L 24-22)

2,017 v Workington, Oct 3, 2004, National League Two play-offs (W 70-10)

1,942 v Featherstone, Mar 7, Arriva Trains Cup (W 18-16)

1,835 v Keighley, July 13, 2003, National League Two (W 48-28)

1,761 v Dewsbury, Aug 22, 2004, National League Two (W 64-6)

1,642 v Hunslet, Sept 5, 2003, National League Two (W 32-16)

1,520 v Gateshead, Mar 31, 2004, National League Two (W 54-26)*

1,511 v Doncaster, Feb 9, 2003, Challenge Cup 4th round (L 21-20)

*at Bootham Crescent

Trialist ineligible for Cup matches

TRIALIST James Ward will not now be eligible to play for the Knights in the Powergen Challenge Cup.

Ward was in the Sharlston team beaten 46-14 by Oldham in their third round tie last Friday, which means he is cup-tied for the rest of the competition.

His case is different to that of Castleford Tigers' Dean Sampson.

The veteran forward turned out for amateur club Stanley Rangers earlier in the competition and then played for the Tigers in their defeat of Hull Dockers last weekend. However, players can play for an amateur club and also play for a professional club later in the competition as long as he registers with that pro' club by the Challenge Cup deadline, which was the previous Monday.

Ward, however, was not registered as a professional with the Knights and additionally played for Sharlston after that registration deadline.

Eagles' loss

THE Knights' National League Two rivals, Sheffield Eagles, were unable to keep hold of their highly-rated prop Mitchell Stringer for long.

The forward, who made his name at the Don Valley Stadium, rejoined the Eagles just a couple of weeks ago from London Broncos after claiming he wanted to move back to the north of England.

But the 21-year-old has now returned to Super League by signing for Salford City Reds for the rest of the season.

He played just one game for Sheffield, as a substitute in their Northern Rail Cup defeat to Batley.

In better news for the Eagles, though, they have taken former Hull KR back Lynton Stott back to the Don Valley.

Stott, a member of the Eagles' Challenge Cup-winning side of 1998, will return for the start of the NL2 campaign later this month.

Hooker Gareth Stanley is also back at the Don Valley.

Smith's bow

FORMER York Wasps forward Michael Smith is likely to make his debut for Hull KR at Halifax this weekend.

The 28-year-old former Castleford Super League star has joined Rovers from St Helens in a big coup for the Craven Park club as they bid to win promotion to Super League.

The Kiwi had signed for Saints in the off-season but reportedly had difficulties in commuting to Knowsley Road yet was reluctant to move nearer St Helens from his Hull home.

THE latest Evening Press/Collier Plant Hire Player of the Year standings will be updated next week.

Updated: 10:26 Saturday, March 19, 2005