LONDON beware. Nearly 50 Knights fans have turned the trip to London Skolars - York's first visit to the capital since York Wasps played London in 1994 - into a weekend party.

The first (and perhaps last) leg of the official 'York Knights world tour 2003' saw the fans board a train to London this morning, complete with tour T-shirts and crazy wigs, to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Big Smoke today and tonight ahead of the match tomorrow.

All Knights fans are expected to congregate in the Skolars pub near to the ground before the game.

IT will be York's first-ever visit to New River Stadium and as such the Press is publishing road directions, supplied by the Knights:

Go south on the M1, join the A406 (North circular) heading east (clockwise), then take the A10 southwards towards Central London. Follow this for 15 miles through one set of lights at a junction and two pedestrian crossings. Stay in the right hand lane and at the second junction with lights take the right hand slip road into White Hart Lane. New River Stadium is signposted (with Spurs' football ground posted to the left at the same junction). The drive is estimated at four hours, a distance of 220 miles.

THE Knights Supporters' Club coach to London leaves Huntington Stadium at 9.45am tomorrow, with no further pick-ups. There are still seats available and anyone wanting to book should contact Louise Ince on 07754 696905. The price is £15 (£10 for under-16s).

KNIGHTS fans may well want to study the performance of the man in the middle at tomorrow's game at London Skolars. For the referee appointed is Huddersfield whistler Steve Addy, whom they criticised so strongly after York's defeat at Chorley three weeks ago.

Updated: 10:48 Saturday, July 19, 2003