YORK City Knights fans can thank Dan Potter's girlfriend for helping to persuade him to join the crusade.

As revealed by the Evening Press this week, the 25-year-old former Widnes Super League star has joined home-town club York from LHF National League One champions Leigh.

And today he explained his partner, Rachel Lowe, had a big part to play in his decision to turn down NL1 clubs Doncaster and Batley and sign at Huntington Stadium.

The Knights following and a desire to represent the club he supported as a boy was also to the fore.

"I've done a lot of thinking about what I want to do," explained Potter, who is a postman in York and, with the early hours associated with that job, plus the long hikes to Widnes then Leigh for training, saw little of his girlfriend.

"The travelling has taken a lot of my life away and it was a burden on my relationship. We didn't see much of each other and that played a big part in my decision to join York.

"Another thing that impressed me was the support. I went to a few games last season, and me and Rachel were impressed with the atmosphere and the crowds.

"They seem to have a pretty good fan base and it seems the club is being run well from top to bottom."

"Steve Ferres (Knights chief executive) has been pretty persistent. He's known all along I was interested in coming and I think the timing is right for me to come now.

"I've had a go in Super League and, although I didn't do as well as I wanted, hopefully I can start a new part of my career in helping York do well.

"They've been looking to get promoted and hopefully this can be the year we get into Division One."

He added: "Of all the clubs I spoke to, the only one I wanted to play for deep down was York. When I was five or six I watched them at Clarence Street with my dad, Ken. He still follows York and watched them if my game didn't clash with theirs.

"If it came down to staying in the National League, the only club I would play for was York."

Potter was also looking forward to lining up alongside his new team-mates.

He said: "Scott Rhodes is a quality player and was unlucky not to win NL2 Player of the Year, and I remember playing for Widnes against Jim Elston when he was at Dewsbury - he scored a 40-yard try and ran round Stuart Spruce like he wasn't there.

"I'm also good mates with Jonny Liddell, who's just signed, and that also played a part in my decision. I also know the likes of Daz Callaghan and Cainy (Mark Cain), and there's been a pretty good spirit at the club. Whenever I saw them they were all saying, 'come to York next year'."

Potter was on Leeds' Academy books as a youngster, playing under new Knights boss Mick Cook.

"He's a really enthusiastic bloke, really clued up. I can't imagine he's aiming for anything less than automatic promotion."

Updated: 10:45 Saturday, October 30, 2004