Three wise men

Gary Hall, Mike Miller and Roger Dixon are the official match-ball sponsors of the game against Sheffield Eagles at Huntington Stadium, the home game that is nearest to the anniversary of the start of York RL's resurrection.

If you remember, Hall called and organised the crisis meeting that proved there was enough support for a professional club in York, Miller, an accountant, worked on the finances surrounding the bid to kick-start York RL, and Dixon, a solicitor, helped stir up support and a pro-York RL fervour.

All three then worked tirelessly on the business plan to get York back into the league and continued to offer input after chief executive Steve Ferres and major shareholder John Guildford came on board.

All three are still involved, of course, most notably Dixon who is club chairman.

ON that note, here's a small fact for the York sport trivia nuts out there.

York Wasps officially folded on March 26, 2002, and exactly one year to the day later, the city's other professional sport club, York City FC, were finally saved.

That day of destiny - March 26 - was a springboard for a fans-led regeneration of the rugby league club, which ultimately led to the birth of the Knights, and it is set to be a momentous day, too, in the history of the football club.

Furthermore, with City being taken over by their Supporters' Trust, it means both clubs have fans at the helm.

Of course, they've gone down different routes to get there, but the strong community focus, which is now at the heart of both clubs, will hopefully stand both in good stead for years to come.

GOING further back in time, another momentous day for York RL occurred 21 years ago this week - the club signed record-breaker Graham Steadman.

Making his debut at stand-off as a trialist in a 36-7 defeat at Hull KR, Steadman impressed so much that the then York coach, Bill Kirkbride, snapped him up 24 later hours later from Castleford amateurs Sailors Home.

During his four-year spell with the club, Steadman made 97 appearances, scoring 63 tries, 253 goals and 14 drop goals. He helped take York to the 1984 Challenge Cup semi-finals and broke three club records in his time at Clarence Street.

In April 1984, he scored three tries and six goals for a personal tally of 24 points - the most by any York player in a single match - in a 50-6 win over Carlisle; and he repeated that feat a week later as Batley were downed 36-8.

Later that campaign he extended the record to 26 points with two tries and nine goals in a 54-4 win over Batley, and went on to score a club record 318 points in the season, from 20 tries, 116 goals and six drop goals.

In February 1986, Steadman moved to Featherstone Rovers for £55,000 and three years later to Castleford for £170,000, a world record. He then played ten times for Great Britain, for whom he toured in 1990 and 1992 (playing alongside current York star Lee Jackson) scoring a try in the defeat of Australia in Melbourne, before retiring as the oldest player in Super League in 1997.

THE new lines of merchandise now available from the Knights have continued to sell well.

As reported by the club, sales of replica home shirts have gone through the roof, while orders for the new away shirt are also being taken.

Among the new lines on sale from the club office at Huntington Stadium (tel 01904 656105) are greeting cards, home match videos and ladies' 'Angel' T-shirts. All merchandise can also be bought from the main stand on home match-days.

The full list is: Replica shirts (non-members £39.95, members £35.00); Polo shirts (£18.95, £17.00); Crew-neck T-shirts (£14.99, £13.50); V-neck T-shirts (£14.99, £13.50); Men's track-suits (£39.95, £35.95); Ladies' 'Angel' T-shirts (£10.00, £9.00); Ladies' jogging fleece (£24.99, £22.50); Scarves (£10.00 , £9.00); Baseball caps (£5.00, £4.50); Car stickers (£1.00, £0.90p); Golf ubrellas (£20.00, £18.00); Mugs (£5.00, £4.50); Pens £0.60p, £0.55p); Pin badges (£4.00, £3.50); Sew-on badges £2.50, £2.50); Keyrings (£0.50p, £0.45p); Home game videos (£12.99, £12.99); 15cm Rulers (£1.00, £1.00); Greeting cards (£2.99, £2.70).

THIS one is for the ladies (and, trust me, it's nothing to do with mother's day).

Club secretary Leanne Cooper is organising a "Ladies' Knight" for female fans, and a top evening of fun and frolics is promised.

The bash, on Saturday, April 12, will feature a pie and peas supper, a disco and cheap drinks at the bar for members. And - and this is the interesting bit - it will also feature entertainment provided by "Black Desire". A clue to the nature of the act is the fact the event is for over-18s only.

Tickets, costing £10 each, are available from Leanne at the club office (01904 656105). But be quick - apparently about 60 tickets have already been sold even before any media publicity.

Updated: 11:46 Saturday, March 29, 2003