YORK City Knights are unlikely to seek a new chief executive in the near future, chairman Roger Dixon today confirmed.

Yesterday's bombshell announcement that Steve Ferres was to quit Huntington Stadium after the first game of the season has left fans stunned.

However, Dixon said one of Ferres' lasting legacies was the strong infrastructure now at the club, and he reckoned that the framework and the staff currently in place were more than capable of taking things forward.

"One of the things Steve has been concentrating on over the last three to four months is putting in place the infrastructure we now have," Dixon told the Evening Press.

"We've got a good administrative infrastructure in place as well as an excellent coaching team.

"I would guess we as a club would be making an appointment of some sort at some stage - be it a chief executive as such or otherwise - but what we want now is to make the best use of the many talented people we have available to us and take stock thereafter."

Such an appointment could depend on how successful the present set-up proves. He added: "We will see how things work out over the course of the next few weeks and take it from there."

Dixon was nonetheless confident about the club's future.

He said: "Without detracting in any way from the role Steve has played, I'm acutely conscious that, with the people we have at the club, it could be construed almost as a slight on them to have anything other than confidence.

"Of course he will be missed greatly but he's been able to create an organisation that's bigger than just one individual. This organisation and the people he has brought together has been one of his many lasting legacies.

"He's created a framework that transcends the personality and input of one person, and that's a key strength not just for a rugby club but for any organisation."

He added: "The aim is to create a club which will expand and be there not only for the current generation but also the future generations."

Dixon, who first met Ferres at a 'Save York Wasps' fans meeting in 2002 out of which the Knights were born, acclaimed the work of Ferres in putting York rugby league back on the map.

"He's worked himself to a standstill for the Knights," he said.

"Steve's contribution to date has been immense and is one for which the club and all associated with it will forever be in his debt.

"Notwithstanding his retirement to take a well-earned break, it is typical of the man that he should offer to be there for the club whenever required. I hope he and his family will now be able to enjoy a little more time together.

"It's been marvellous to make his acquaintance and it's great that he's still on the end of a phone call.

"Lots of people have put their shoulders to the wheel, and Steve's role has been huge and we're truly grateful to him."

Updated: 10:53 Wednesday, February 02, 2005