JOE Brown has signed a two-year contract extension with York Knights, admitting the club feels like home.

The winger joined the Knights from Bradford Bulls in 2022 and has scored 44 tries in 81 appearances for the club in the two-and-a-half seasons since his arrival.

Having been forced to deputise at full-back for the majority of the 2023 campaign after a series of injuries to Matty Marsh, he is now back on the right wing, where he has been one of the standout performers since Mark Applegarth’s arrival.

He has already surpassed last season’s tally of 13 tries across all competitions, is joint fourth in the Betfred Championship’s leading scorers, and is averaging a try a match under his new head coach.

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Now closing in on 100 appearances for York, Brown admits his younger self would have been delighted to have secured a new two-year deal at the club.

“This is my third year, and it feels like home for me,” enthused the 25-year-old of his extension.

"I've really enjoyed my time here so to extend again, I was really happy that we got to that decision of two years.

"I think I'd have been really impressed closing in on 100 appearances and I think that's a proud achievement for myself at one club.

"23-year-old me was very different to where I am now at 25. I think a young Browny would be really happy."

Brown's 14 tries this season have included a range of acrobatic efforts.Brown's 14 tries this season have included a range of acrobatic efforts. (Image: Craig Hawkhead Photography)

Brown scored 17 tries in his first season as York reached a historic Play-off Semi Final before defeat to eventual promotion-winners Leigh Leopards, and also won the Knights’ 2023 Try of the Year – though, remaining humble, instead heaped the credit on Liam Harris and Myles Harrison for their part in the build-up.

After the Knights’ rocky start to 2024, the Leeds-born talent has scooped doubles against both Barrow Raiders and Doncaster this month, and has his eyes firmly set on helping them to secure a place in the play-offs again this time around.

He conceded: “It's been challenging. We didn't start the year how we wanted to for different reasons, injuries, suspensions.

"We just weren't playing well - it is as simple as that.

"We've grown into the season, and we've got a bit of a rhythm now. We've got a bit of continuity in our spine which has allowed other players to show the best of them and I think that's brought the best out of everybody else.

"We want to be pushing for the play-offs come the end of the year.

"We know we've given ourselves quite a bit to do but we are really confident that if we keep knocking on the door of those teams above us that we can get there because we have got the squad to do that.

“[The fans] have been great, we didn't give them much to shout about at the start of the season, but they still followed us, home and away, and for a player that's all we can ask.

"They bring us home and hopefully towards the back end of the year we'll give them brighter days and something more to cheer about."