YORK City Knights expect to shatter the National League Division Two record attendance figure when Keighley Cougars visit Huntington Stadium tomorrow.

The Knights currently hold the record for the new-look division, with 1,271 turning out to see the league opener against Gateshead Thunder in April.

Keighley are second in the list, with 1,129 versus Swinton last month, and the Cougars also feature in the next three highest crowds, including the 1,077 they got at Cougar Park for the visit of York in May.

The Knights and the Cougars are the best supported clubs in Division Two, with York - the only club to have attracted four-figure crowds to each of their home matches - averaging 1,095 and the Cougars 1,053.

The Knights' home average rises to 1,405 when Arriva Trains and Challenge Cup games are included, boosted by the club record 3,105 gate they achieved against Hull KR for their first-ever game.

Knights chief executive Steve Ferres said they would not be surprised if 2,000 flocked to Huntington Stadium for the Sunday showdown.

"We've got two teams who are the best supported in the league, both are in the play-off places and both are keen to establish themselves for the play-offs," he told the Evening Press.

"It's all set up for it to be the biggest league crowd of the season. Nobody has touched 2,000 this season but it is a possibility.

"The away support we've had over the last few games has been fantastic - we've outnumbered home supporters at Hunslet, Workington and Chorley - and on that basis I genuinely believe that what we're trying to achieve at the club is being backed by the fans."

He added: "This is not part of a short-term ambition; we're looking at putting things in place to improve the club and the team season on season and put together a truly professional club the city of York can be proud of. It seems that belief is appreciated by the supporters.

"Their backing and their support is part and parcel of what is happening. I can't praise them enough. Normally when you have a run of away games the numbers go down but with us the numbers have increased. It's been a joy to be associated with them."

The Knights lie sixth in the table, with Keighley top, at the half-way stage of the season. Both sides have nine games remaining, but for the Knights, six of those matches will be at home, which should be an advantage.

Ferres agreed tomorrow's match was probably the biggest of the season, adding: "Keighley have lost just once, while we've had a bit of form recently, apart from the blip last time out (at Chorley), and we've got the confidence and belief."

Updated: 11:45 Saturday, July 12, 2003