YORK City Knights have pulled off the second double coup in the space of 24 hours by winning the chase for ex-Super league star Dan Potter and also recruiting highly-rated Lee Patterson.
York-based Potter was playing in the top tier with Widnes Vikings only last year and joins his home-town team from newly-promoted Leigh Centurions, for whom he scored 13 tries this term on their way to the LHF National League One title.
His signature represents a major boost to the Knights as several clubs were courting him, including NL1 giants Castleford Tigers, who wanted him to boost their bid for an immediate return to Super League, Doncaster and Batley.
The 25-year-old product of New Earswick All Blacks ARLC began his professional career in Leeds Rhinos' Academy, briefly playing under new Knights boss Mick Cook, before moving on to Bramley, Dewsbury, then Widnes. The centre has also had loan spells at London Broncos in Super league and Oldham.
Knights chief executive Steve Ferres said: "Dan is somebody we've been tracking for a long time now. We tried to sign him last season but he went with Super league-chasing Leigh and we missed out.
"On this occasion he's joined us and we're really pleased to have him on board. The fact he's a local lad adds a bit of spice to it as well."
Back-rower Patterson has joined the Knights from Keighley Cougars, with whom he won the NL2 Grand Final in 2003. The Cougars have been relegated back down after one season in NL1, and Patterson has decided to switch allegiances to this time help the Knights' bid to reach the second tier.
Ferres said: "Lee nearly joined us last season. He's been watching our progress, seeing the way we're coming on and he's looking to improve himself under the coaching expertise of Mick Cook and Daryl Powell.
"He gives us an excellent option for the back row and he believes he can come in and improve his game."
Patterson's signature may also help persuade close mate Craig Farrell to stay with the Knights. Winger Farrell, who moved to Huntington Stadium from Hull KR in late July, became an instant hit with York fans in his ten games with the club at the end of last season in which he scored seven tries.
Added to the signings of Adam Sullivan and Jon Liddell, as revealed by the Press yesterday, the arrival of Potter and Patterson now takes the number of players contracted to the Knights for 2005 to nine.
Updated: 10:39 Thursday, October 28, 2004
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