DEPARTING chief executive Steve Ferres reckons he has succeeded in his aim to bring credibility back to professional rugby league in York.

The bombshell was dropped yesterday that Ferres is to leave York City Knights after the first game of the 2005 season, away to Castleford Tigers on Sunday, February 13, in the Northern Rail Cup.

He cited a need to "recharge the batteries" as the reason behind his decision to quit, but he told the Evening Press the club would be left in capable hands and on a firm footing.

"I'm proud of what's been done at the club and I'm personally pleased to have been involved with it," he said.

"Since I got involved, the club has got back into the league, we've named the club, given it a badge, given it its colours, launched it, put good teams together and put in place good personnel.

"We've won the National League Club of the Year, the Community Club of the Year and set up good Sportsmatch schemes. We've come a long way.

"There are a lot of good people working at the club and they are in a position to take things forward.

"I'm happy with what's been achieved and my contribution to it."

Ferres became chief executive-in-waiting in 2002 as the new club fought to get a place in the Rugby Football League following the sorry demise of York Wasps.

That first battle was achieved and as the club embarked on their inaugural season in 2003 Ferres told the Evening Press they wanted "to give the city of York a team they can be proud of".

The Knights have since come tantalisingly close to winning promotion to LHF Healthplan National League One and head into the 2005 campaign as the bookmakers' favourites for the National League Two title.

Today he said: "I wanted to give credibility back to York rugby league and I think we've done that. They've got that credibility and that respectability back.

"They've got 1,200-plus York people watching them every week, the best gates in the division. It's a vibrant club going forward, it's got excellent staff and the best coaching set-up outside Super League."

Ferres believes the club has the infrastructure and personnel to build on the foundations.

He added: "Businesses are only as good as the people within them and I believe I have been instrumental in making some key appointments to enable the club to grow and prosper."

Ferres has received well-wishes from across the city at York City Football Club.

The Minstermen's communications director, Sophie McGill, said: "We have worked with Steve in the past when Knights games have been staged at KitKat Crescent. He has always proved helpful and enthusiastic.

"I'm sure his positive contribution to rugby league in the city of York will be greatly missed. We wish him well for the future."

Updated: 11:04 Wednesday, February 02, 2005