Gary Hall, who was at the heart of the resurrection of York rugby league when he got the Knights rolling three years ago, said: "They made hard work of it but they got there in the end."

"I would like to pay tribute to all the supporters and the people behind the scenes and of course the players, who have all given their all this season."

Added Hall: "I called the first meeting to set up the working party when York Wasps folded.

"All those meetings three years ago and trials and tribulations since then and now we've won promotion."

Despite the despondency of the Wasps folding, Hall always believed this day would come.

"If I hadn't believed that, this would never have got off the ground. But we've done it and now we're looking forward to NL1."

Hall, who looks after the PA system at Huntington Stadium already has something special in store for the home return of the title-winners on September 4.

"I've got 'We Are the Champions' cued up for the Workington game."

Updated: 11:29 Monday, August 22, 2005