YORK City Knights' development programme is set to receive a massive boost with the recruitment of ex-Keighley legend Jason Ramshaw to the full-time Huntington Stadium staff.

The 34-year-old, who hung up his boots after helping the Cougars win promotion to National League One last season, has come on board as development officer for the Knights.

Ramshaw's role, which is partly funded by Sportsmatch, the sports grants organisation, will include developing the Knights' links in local schools and looking at the formation of the planned scholarship scheme, while he may also be utilised by coach Richard Agar in a first-team match-day coaching capacity.

He has great experience as a development officer, having held the post successfully during his time at Cougar Park, and Knights chief executive Steve Ferres said: "He's very well regarded in rugby league circles and this is a big coup for us.

"We're delighted he's here. He will be bringing a fresh approach to the development and a great level of enthusiasm. It's a full-time development post while it's intended that his abilities will be utilised elsewhere within the club."

Pontefract-based Ramshaw had left his development post at Keighley to move to a job outside of rugby, but he has been keen to return after four months out of the game.

Knights stars Chris Langley and Damian Ball, who are also full-time students, have already set in motion an in-schools programme and they will continue to work alongside Ramshaw on development schemes.

Ferres added: "We've done well to get his appointment - if other people had known that he was available, other clubs could have stepped in front of us."

Agar has also heralded the new arrival, saying Ramshaw's appointment could help York get ahead of the pack.

In addition to his development duties, Agar is looking to integrate his old mate - they both played their junior rugby with Travellers Saints in Featherstone - into the coaching set-up.

"He is a development officer and that's his primary job, but the fact he's full-time means he will be around the place a lot and there are lots of roles he can fulfil with us," explained the Knights chief.

"The fact he will be full-time is a great advantage and hopefully it can help to put us out in front of the rest."

Meanwhile, the draw for the Arriva Trains Cup quarter-final play-offs takes place tonight between 7pm and 7.30pm, live on BBC local radios.

York are in the hat along with Featherstone Rovers, Barrow, Doncaster, Oldham and Keighley Cougars.

The clubs through to the quarter-finals are Leigh Centurions, Halifax, Whitehaven, Hull KR and Batley Bulldogs.

Updated: 10:17 Wednesday, April 14, 2004