YORK City Knights were recognised by the city of York last night at a civic ceremony celebrating the club’s promotion.

The rugby league team was invited to the ceremony at the Mansion House after winning the Co-operative Championship One play-offs.

Civic dignitaries, including the Lord Mayor of York Coun Sue Galloway and the Sheriff of York Coun Richard Watson, met players and staff from the club to celebrate the victory.

Knights general manager Ian Wilson said the event was a good opportunity to acknowledge everyone who had a hand in the club’s promotion.

He said: “When you win the finals and get a promotion, it’s generally the team that gets the congratulations, so it’s nice for the backroom staff and people who work in the office to have recognition.

“It’s a club effort when you are successful and get promoted and we’re pleased that those people were acknowledged as well.”

He said the club appreciated the importance that was placed on sporting successes in the city, saying: “We have players who have won promotions with other clubs and not had anything like this.

“It is something special that they will remember when they’re looking back on their careers when they retire.

“Being acknowledged publicly shows what the club means to the city. And how it’s seen by dignitaries, including the council and the Lord Mayor, shows how important the sport is in the city.”

Coun Galloway proposed a toast to the club and its future success and said the city thought it was important to honour its successful sports teams.

A similar event, plus an open-top bus tour of the city, took place when the Knights won the National League Two title in 2005.