YORK City Knights may make their first competitive game of 2006 all-ticket after it was confirmed they will kick off the season at home to Hull Kingston Rovers.

The fixtures for next term were officially released today and, as revealed by the Evening Press last week, the Knights have been paired in the opening Northern Rail Cup group game on Sunday, February 12, with the holders.

Chief executive John Guildford said they would consider making the game ticket-only due to potential demand, even though ground improvements are likely to increase the Huntington Stadium capacity to about 4,000.

"It's a big game that should kick off our season brilliantly," said Guildford. "They will bring a lot of fans, we will have a lot and it should make for a great atmosphere.

"It could mean we consider making it all-ticket depending on demand."

Former Rovers favourite Phil Hasty was also looking forward to it. "They will be a tough team and it will be difficult but it will be nice to start at York with a first game against my old club," said the Knights' new half-back.

"We will play them four times in the season and hopefully we can get a couple over on them."

A Friday night trip to Sheffield Eagles follows the Rovers game, while Featherstone Rovers are the other opponents in group six of the Northern Rail Cup.

As also predicted by the Press, the Knights kick off their first-ever campaign in LHF National League One on Sunday, April 9, away to title favourites Widnes Vikings, who will be seeking an immediate return to Super League.

The Easter weekend then sees Hull KR return to York for a league clash on Good Friday, which will kick-off at 6pm, and the Knights' tough opening to life in NL1 will continue with a trip to other promotion hopefuls, Halifax, on Bank Holiday Monday.

Guildford said: "It's a fantastic start for us in NL1 - they will all be big challenges."

Another full-time team, Leigh, will visit York on May 14, while Widnes come on June 4, followed, curiously, by two consecutive league games against Oldham, though those clashes will be pierced by a free weekend set aside for the Northern Rail Cup final.

The Knights' longest trip of the season, to 2005 table-toppers Whitehaven, is on July 9, while their last game of the regular season is away to Leigh on September 10, after which the National League play-offs kick in.

Fans can buy and/or collect season-tickets at the Knights' 2006 launch events in the Huntington Stadium bar tonight and tomorrow.

Tonight's event (6pm-9.30pm) is for season-ticket holders and vice-presidents only, while tomorrow's (1pm-9.30pm) is open to all. New merchandise, including the new strips, will be on sale.

Updated: 10:36 Wednesday, November 30, 2005