YORK City Knights boss Mick Cook has backed Mark Cain's plans to go into coaching.

Cain, a Huntington Stadium favourite, has retired from playing because of a serious knee injury, but is contemplating staying in the game, with a potential role being with the Knights' scholarship.

He made his debut as a boss' on Sunday for the Mark Cain All Stars team - made up of York Old Boys' supplemented by local young amateurs - which took on the Knights in his own testimonial match at Huntington Stadium.

The Knights won 38-32, but it was an entertaining game in which the veterans played their part.

"I think he could have a future in it," said Cook. "He's a good communicator, he thinks about the game, he knows about the game and he's played a lot of games."

Various other injuries meant Cain played only eight times during Cook's two previous years in charge, but the head coach has seen enough to believe the 30-year-old could make the move successful.

"We're looking at getting him involved with the Knights in some capacity, and we'll see how it goes," added Cook.

"He's got a good personality and knowledge of the game, and if we get him through his coaching badges it would be down to himself to see how far he wants to go."

A crowd of 920 turned up for Cain's testimonial, which saw legends of the recent past turn back the clock. Cook said the number of people who played or paid to watch showed how popular Cain was.

Cook added: "He's been a great bloke to work with. He's had a few problems with injuries over the last two years but he always worked very hard at his game, he was a smart player and was pretty tough.

"He's had a lot to offer and is a great bloke to have around because of his humour.

"It was a big decision for him to call it a draw and stand down. He would have had a bit more football in him but for this injury, and when an injury gets in the way of work, the decision sometimes gets easier."

Cain admitted his coaching' was basic on Sunday. "I would not say there was a lot of technical advice on my part," he said.

"Because we had so many players, it was more about giving everyone a fair time on the pitch. The game-plan was simple - we just played it as we saw it - but I think the lads put on an excellent show."