YORK rugby league club are to return to the city centre for the first time in 15 years after York City FC agreed to let the City Knights play their rearranged game against Gateshead at Bootham Crescent.

It will be the second time the city's professional rugby league club has played at the home of the neighbouring football club. The first time was in January 1989 when 11,347 watched York entertain Leeds in a Challenge Cup tie.

The rugby club's last match in the city centre was against Hunslet on March 26, 1989 - the last-ever game at Clarence Street before the club moved to Huntington Stadium.

The match against Gateshead Thunder, an Arriva Trains Cup group fixture, will take place on Wednesday, March 31 (ko 8pm).

The Knights had approached City about using Bootham Crescent at the beginning of this month in the event they drew a Super League club at home in the Challenge Cup fifth round.

That didn't materialise but the club's march to the quarter-finals - they visit Huddersfield a week tomorrow - has meant the Arriva Cup group game at home to Gateshead scheduled for that day has had to be rearranged. And as Huntington Stadium was not available for a midweek match within the dates specified, the Knights asked City if they could use Bootham Crescent after all.

A statement issued by the football club today said they were 'pleased to assist their sporting neighbours', and they agreed to reschedule a reserve team game against Grimsby Town to accommodate the Knights' fixture.

The fee being paid by the rugby club for the one-off tie has remained confidential.

York City chief executive Keith Usher said: "I was approached by Steve Ferres (York City Knights chief executive) who explained the situation to me. I then discussed the matter with the York City board of directors who were keen to assist the Knights.

"The only obstacle was our reserve team fixture which was due to be played on the same day, but Grimsby Town were very accommodating and have agreed to a rescheduled game."

York City communications director Sophie McGill added: "York City Football Club is pleased to be able to assist York City Knights in this way.

"The fixture is a great opportunity for us to strengthen our relationship with the rugby league club and hopefully the novelty of a change of venue will encourage more rugby fans to attend the game."

Ferres said: "The change of venue offers the opportunity to potential new spectators and sponsors to sample the unique Knights' match-day experience.

"I would like to thank York City FC for allowing the Knights to stage the game at Bootham Crescent, and we look forward to working with them."

Updated: 08:53 Saturday, March 20, 2004