THE man who played a huge role in putting York rugby league back on the map reckons York City Knights can hack life in LHF National League One.

Mick Cook's team secured promotion from NL2 with two games to spare thanks to an incredible win away to Hunslet on Sunday.

And Steve Ferres, who was a key figure in getting the Knights into the league following the demise of York Wasps in 2002, today paid tribute to the club and outlined their chances for further success.

"The only way for York now is upwards and I hope that continues," said the former chief executive at Huntington Stadium. "There are a lot of good people there and a lot of good systems in place, and Mick Cook is a very strong character.

"Next year should be about consolidating. It's going to be difficult. There are two teams coming down from Super League, then two out of Whitehaven, Hull KR and Castleford, then other competitive teams like Halifax, Doncaster, Oldham and Rochdale.

"It will be one hell of a test but the club is up to it. The financial situation from the great support should see them okay and it comes down to judgement in getting the right sort of players in. I wish them all the best."

Ferres, who stepped down as chief executive at the beginning of the season citing a need to recharge his batteries after "three years of 24 hours a day, seven days a week thinking about York City Knights", admitted he was now missing the game and might start looking to get involved somewhere.

A former Hunslet coach, he was not at Sunday's match but listened on the radio. He added: "I'm delighted for everybody, in particular the supporters and (chairman) Roger Dixon. It's days like that that they deserve.

"When we first started, at one of the early meetings I said the intention was to get better year on year. For the first three years we've done that and next year they will be better again because it will be in a higher division, no matter what position they finish.

"I'm glad I contributed and helped set them on the way and that I was able to put together a team and fetch a coach in who could orchestrate that team, and Mick Cook did that in great style.

"They've come away with what they deserve and I'm glad the team I helped to put together stuck together and that Mick came up trumps. It gives me great pride knowing I had that sort of contribution."

Updated: 10:24 Tuesday, August 23, 2005