FROM villain to hero. One of York City Knights' foes in last season's play-off final is to swap sides and join the 2005 crusade.

Prop forward David Bates, who played in all three of Halifax's clashes with York last term, has put pen to paper on a deal to take him from The Shay to Huntington Stadium.

The Irish international, who scored a try for Ireland against England in the final of this year's European Nations Cup earlier this month, had joined LHF Healthplan National League One club Fax from the Knights' NL2 rivals Gateshead, having stepped down to the Thunder after starting out in Super League.

He had begun his career with Castleford Tigers and Warrington and also spent time last year on loan to Batley. Renowned as a ball-playing front-rower, he can also play in the back row, as he has done for Ireland.

Knights chief executive Steve Ferres said: "He will give us a bit more firepower up front to go along with Yusuf Sozi, Craig Forsyth and Adam Sullivan and give us more depth at prop forward and stability in the pack.

"David is looking for a big season and I'm confident he will have a big impact at the Knights."

Bates' signature follows hot on the heels of those of young Leeds winger Peter Fox and - as revealed in later editions of yesterday's Evening Press - York favourite Darren Callaghan (pictured above left).

The 28-year-old today said: "I had no intention of going anywhere else. There is a good family atmosphere down there.

"I spoke to (coach) Mick Cook and he seems to be a really good gentleman, and (assistant-coach) Paul Broadbent is back as well and I respect him a lot. It's all good things happening down there.

"There are good quality players down there and the club are set to add a couple more, and there are a lot of York lads like myself, which is good.

"Hopefully we will be able to make the next step up next season and get promotion."

The arrival of Callaghan and Bates leaves the Knights well covered in the forwards and now able to concentrate on bringing more back ability to Huntington Stadium, and the Press believes Ferres is in talks with three backs.

Meanwhile, the Knights are set to benefit from an agreement between all professional clubs whereby from 2006 onwards, one weekend will be set aside during pre-season in which every Super League club will have the opportunity to play a friendly away to a National League club, who will retain all gate receipts.

Chev Walker, a regular among the threequarters in Leeds Rhinos' championship-winning season, has revealed he set out on his professional career as a prop forward.

And his ability to play in the pack could boost Great Britain in tonight's Gillette Tri-Nations clash with New Zealand at Hull's KC Stadium.

Walker, who is hoping to win a recall to the side after making his Test debut against Australia three weeks ago, would relish the chance to go head-to-head with the Kiwi forwards.

With head coach Brian Noble resting back row forwards Paul Sculthorpe and Jamie Peacock, he may turn to Walker.

Updated: 13:02 Saturday, November 20, 2004