Ceiling support

The 20 clubs voted unanimously in favour of bringing back the wage ceiling at their meeting in Barrow this week - with Dixon calling it good and sensible practice.

The new salary cap, that will be effective from 2004, will limit expenditure on players' wages to £150,000 for Division One clubs and £100,000 for Division Two clubs.

In addition, clubs are also limited to spending only 50 per cent of their income on wages - although 'special provisions' do exist for clubs to make applications to the Rugby Football League for exemptions on either cash threshold providing a proper business case can be made.

Just what this 'special provisions' clause entails has raised eyebrows among fans, and it remains to be seen how it will come in to play, perhaps most notably if and when it affects full-time clubs relegated from Super League. But nevertheless the move has been met with general acceptance.

Dixon, who was at the Barrow meeting, told the Evening Press: "The proposal represents a responsible measure designed to underpin the need for financial reality in the management of rugby league clubs and to promote good housekeeping."

He added that was something his club had always adopted: "It is an objective which we embrace at York City Knights."

Commenting on the decision, RFL financial director Nigel Wood said: "While it is clear that excess spending among National League clubs is not quite the problem it was some years ago, there was still a unanimous view that clubs must be regulated and disciplined to live within their means.

"The proposed salary cap regulations are quite complex but, hopefully, they will regulate excess spending and reward those clubs who succeed in developing their businesses on a holistic basis."

The potential penalties for breaching the agreed regulations include fines, point deductions, automatic relegation or the denial of promotion.

Wood added: "The clubs were also clear that they regarded the salary cap as a significant League rule and demanded that the RFL board of directors viewed breaches of it as serious offences."

KNIGHTS chairman Roger Dixon returned from the aforementioned meeting at Barrow in a rather frustrated state.

There was nothing wrong with the meeting itself, but the exhaust on Dixon's car blew on his way back to York.

Let's hope his next trip to the Cumbrian town goes more smoothly - the Knights play at Barrow a week tomorrow.

THE Knights have come to an 'everyone's a winner' agreement with the organisers of the York International 9s.

The prestigious nine-a-side rugby league festival, which will involve teams from all over the world, will take place at Heworth ARLC's Elm Park Way ground on Saturday, June 21 and Sunday 22, and to assist in promoting the event, the Knights are helping to sell tickets - and are getting cash back in return.

Tickets are on sale now from the club office (tel 01904 656105) priced at £10 per person for the two days (children under 12 get free admission), and £5 from each ticket sold by the Knights will be donated back to the club.

London calling Knights fans

FANCY a weekend in the big smoke incorporating fun, a show perhaps and a game of rugby league?

The Knights are organising a special weekend trip to the capital to incorporate their National League Two match against London Skolars, which takes place on Sunday, July 20.

The excursion, setting off on the Saturday (depart York 10.27am, arrive at Kings Cross 12.43pm) and returning Sunday evening (depart Kings Cross 7.47pm, arrive at York 10.02pm), will cost about £70 per person, to include train fare and dinner, bed and breakfast at a Holiday Inn.

Show tickets can also be arranged on request.

Transfer to and from the hotel and match admission are not included in the price.

the club expect a fair few fans to take advantage. Places are limited and will be taken on a first come, first served basis. Deadline for bookings is June 20.

For more details or to reserve a place contact either Leanne Cooper or Kylie Krause in the club office (01904 656105).

STAYING in the capital, former Knights loanee Tommy Gallagher has gone out on loan again, this time to Super League side London Broncos.

The Leeds Rhinos teenager spent a month at Huntington Stadium during the Arriva Train Cup group campaign and has now gone down to the capital for another month-long spell.

Knights hitting the heights

SPONSORSHIP for the Knights is up in the air - literally.

As fans may have already noticed, the support for the club shown by international York-based firm Portakabin has reached its highest level yet.

A mechanical hoist stationed at the company's headquarters on New Lane in Huntington, adjacent to the Knights' Huntington Stadium ground, is adorned with a massive banner exclaiming its backing for Paul Broadbent's men.

Knights chairman Roger Dixon said: "We are very grateful to Portakabin for their backing and we are to all individual firms and businesses who have invested their credibility in support of the Knights.

"We shall endeavour to be worthy of the confidence such businesses have invested in us and we are endeavouring to give value for money.

"All the businesses are contributing in their support of the Knights, to promote not only the club but also the much wider involvement of the club within the community."

Updated: 12:10 Saturday, May 17, 2003