JAMES FORD has left York City Knights and is in talks to become Wakefield Trinity's assistant coach, a trade media report has claimed.

An article by Rugby League Live has stated that York head coach Ford has departed the club and is set to join up with Wakefield boss Mark Applegarth.

Ford played alongside and coached Applegarth during the former prop forward's second stint in North Yorkshire between 2014 and 2016.

The decision for Ford to exit the Knights is described as "mutual" by Rugby League Live and not related to on-field performance.

Ford's departure will come as a shock to many York fans following a successful 2022 season in which the Knights returned to the Betfred Championship play-offs, finishing sixth.

York went on to secure their first ever second-tier win in the play-offs, upsetting Halifax Panthers 26-24 last month.

Ford has transformed the Knights' fortunes since taking charge in 2015.

York were a financially-troubled club without a home ground in Betfred League One in 2015 and have since recorded two Championship play-off finishes in the three completed seasons, with a first Wembley Stadium appearance since 1931 in-between, via last year's AB Sundecks 1895 Cup final.