YORK City Knights fans will get the chance to meet and greet their heroes later this month at a launch night for the 2004 season.

The Knights, whose first game of the new year is on Sunday, January 4 against Hull KR in Rich Hayes' testimonial, are to stage an open night at their Huntington Stadium headquarters on Monday, December 15, starting at 8pm.

New head coach Richard Agar will be there with the players, who will be officially introduced to the supporters.

A wide range of new merchandise will also be on show and available to buy, in time for Christmas. It is hoped the new home strip - which will be revealed in the Evening Press once the design is completed with sponsors' names - will also be available.

The event will be staged less than three weeks ahead of Hayes' testimonial match, which doubles up as the Knights' first outing of pre-season and is expected to draw a big crowd.

Their second friendly is against Super League giants Leeds, which is also expected to attract a big gate to Hunting-ton Stadium, on Sunday, January 25.

The season kicks off a week later with the first round of Arriva Trains Cup group fixtures, the Knights' first competitive match of 2004 being at home to Batley Bulldogs.

Updated: 10:34 Saturday, December 06, 2003