MATTY Marsh, James Glover, Olly Butterworth and Ben Barnard have all departed York Knights following the conclusion of the 2023 Betfred Championship season.

Full-back Marsh has been absent for large parts of the campaign through injury, whilst Glover and Butterworth enjoyed loan spells at Sheffield Eagles and Betfred League One promotion-winners Doncaster respectively.

Former Heworth youngster Barnard made five appearances at the beginning of this term but had struggled for further game time, not making an appearance since the Knights' heavy 40-10 defeat in Sheffield on June 9.

Andrew Henderson's first season in charge at the LNER Community Stadium proved to be one of an unprecedented nature, with his squad blighted by serious injuries to key players for the majority.

That forced many to play out of position for large parts of the season, and put an impetus on the Knights' young talents, but they rallied, a run of 10 wins from their final 11 Championship matches seeing them claim a remarkable sixth-place on the final day of the season.

They were then knocked out in the Play-off Eliminator at Bradford Bulls, surrendering an eight-point lead as their hosts ran out comfortable 22-8 victors.

York Press: Marsh was presented with his '100 appearances' shirt at the Knights' Challenge Cup clash against West Bowling.Marsh was presented with his '100 appearances' shirt at the Knights' Challenge Cup clash against West Bowling. (Image: Craig Hawkhead)

Marsh first joined the Knights from Hull KR in 2018, going onto secure promotion from League One, and playing a large part in the side that secured a third-placed finish and a trip to Wembley in the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final in 2021.

The 28-year-old continued to make a name for himself in 2022 as York earned their first ever Championship Play-off victory at Halifax Panthers.

He passed 100 appearances for York earlier this season, but has not featured for the Knights since aggravating an old wrist injury against Newcastle Thunder in mid-May, with Joe Brown, and Myles Harrison both deputising in his role.

Marsh has been widely linked with a move to Sheffield for 2024, as has experienced centre Glover - who has been on-loan at the South Yorkshire club since July.

The versatile Jason Bass moved to the Knights in the other half of that swap deal, with  Glover going onto help the Eagles claim fourth position and a home tie in the Play-offs.

Glover, York's regular kicker until his departure this summer, departs the Knights having scored 17 tries and 61 goals in 47 appearances.

Former paratrooper Butterworth confirmed his departure on social media last week, saying "A weird two years with injury, grateful for whatever the journey has thrown at me. On to the next …."

The winger is another to have seen his Knights career hampered by injury, ACL and shoulder dislocation issues ruling him out for the entirety of the 2022 season.

Butterworth made just three appearances for York before departing on loan to Doncaster, but did announce himself to fans with a hat-trick against London Broncos in the Betfred Challenge Cup in May.

Heworth product Barnard made his York debut in September 2022 against Workington Town, having first joined the club on trial terms, going on to sign a permanent deal in the off-season.

The front-rower leaves the Knights having made seven appearances.