YOUNG York City Knights players Carl Stannard and Michael Embleton have left the club to improve their chances of regular rugby.

The duo have gone with the club's full backing, but nevertheless the departures highlight a problem faced by the Knights and indeed any club which does not have a reserve or under-21s side.

Bascially, if a player is not in the first-team picture he has no chance of playing rugby unless injuries and/or a dip in form of first-teamers provides an opportunity.

And if he isn't paying regularly then he isn't going to be match-fit when he gets that chance - which is hardly beneficial to the player or the club.

Of course, the problem is largely one of finances as clubs need to be able to afford to run at least two full teams to alleviate this difficulty. Unfortunately - but not unsurprisingly for a new club - the Knights have not yet been in a position to run a second team.

Nevertheless, as revealed by the Press a few weeks ago, the Knights are planning to run an Academy side next year, and good luck to them, as this is just one of the reasons why such a team is needed.

As it is, Embleton has joined other York-based youngsters including fellow York Acorn product Johnny Waldron at Hull KR's Academy, and Stannard, who also played for Acorn last season, has signed for top Summer Conference side Teesside Steelers where he will join fellow Thanet Road regulars Mick Hagan, Lee Frank, Dave Norman and Paul Dodsworth.

Knights player-coach Paul Broadbent said that without an under-21 or reserve side, the club could not offer the duo the chance of a regular run-out at this stage.

"We're not trying to stop people playing rugby and there's no point us keeping them from playing," he explained.

"It's unfortunate that we're not in a position to give them some rugby if they're not in the first 17."

The duo had been among the 'first Knights' to have signed for the club, with Stannard playing in their first-ever game and Embleton making his debut a fortnight later.

"I've had no problems with either of them or their commitment and effort," said Broadbent.

"They played a big part in everything we did, they just weren't getting their rugby, which is a problem with having just the one 17.

"If they are not in the first 17 they can go months without playing and that does not help them nor us if they get an opportunity but are not match fit."

As reported by the Evening Press, anyone interested in joining the Knights' Academy is asked to send their playing details to chief executive Steve Ferres c/o York City Knights, Huntington Stadium, Kath-ryn Avenue, York, YO32 9JS.

Updated: 09:56 Saturday, June 28, 2003