PLAYER-COACH Paul Broadbent is seeking a good display but has played down the significance of the result as York City Knights head into their first-ever fixture.

The new-look club entertain Oldham Roughyeds in a friendly at Huntington Stadium tomorrow (kick-off 2.30pm), with Broadbent realising the historical significance of the match - it marks a remarkable turnaround for professional rugby league in York - and knowing a good performance will further boost the good vibes.

However, he insists the main importance of the encounter is to take a look at various permutations and give his players some game-time.

A number of trialists are also expected to turn out in a bid to win a contract with the National League outfit - again suggesting the club are merely preparing for the big opening-day clash against Hull KR on January 19.

"At the end of the day this is a trial match," Broadbent told the Evening Press.

"We obviously want to get off to a good start and get some confidence and a good performance will provide that, but the result is not the be all and end all.

"I'm pretty optimistic that we will show some good signs and everybody will go out there to put themselves forward for a starting place (against Hull KR).

"I will be disappointed if we don't play well because you always have professional and personal pride, and the players have plenty to play for.

"I think they will be up for it as they've trained well, so hopefully they'll put a decent show on.

"Of course, there will be certain areas where we will struggle, but this is one of the reasons why you have friendlies, so you can identify those areas and work on them."

He added: "It is a significant match for York City Knights as a club but, as we've always said, we're looking at it as a building process.

"When we started out two months ago we had two players and a lot of enthusiastic people involved in getting the club going.

"We've now got a squad and we're looking all right.

"We've always said everything is a progression. Whatever happens tomorrow it's just the next stage of that progression.

"Provided everything we do shows we're going forward and getting better then that's the main thing."

Updated: 10:42 Saturday, January 04, 2003