JOSH Daley has paid an emotional tribute to his time with York Knights as he heads back to Australia following the end of the Betfred Championship season.

The hooker arrived at the LNER Community Stadium from Mount Pritchard Mounties ahead of the 2023 campaign and established himself as a firm fan favourite.

So much so, that there had even been a suggestion of organising a GoFundMe to bring his pet dog over to the UK.

He has impressed in over half a century of appearances with dynamic performances out of dummy half, whilst off the pitch, he is extremely approachable and has plenty of time for the club’s supporters.

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However, as he and his partner prepare to settle down and focus on their careers outside of the sport, he feels that now is the right time to head back Down Under.

After calling time on his Knights career following their play-off semi-final defeat at Wakefield Trinity earlier this month, Daley thanked everybody associated with the club for what has been an enjoyable stay in the city in this tribute via The Press.

“It’s been a place where I always wanted to come to, the UK, and play, I just wasn’t sure where,” he explained. “But I’m really glad that I did land in York.

“Clint [Goodchild, chairman] put all the faith in the world in me, and it’s really nice how people have responded as well. 

“All the fans, whenever they get a chance, they’ll either message me or see me after the game, and they’ll tell me how much I mean to the club, which is really nice.

“And a few of the guys said the other day ‘we’ll get a GoFundMe set up to get your dog over here so that we can keep you!’ It was nice to hear things like that.

“But all the people I’ve met along the way have helped with all that. Everyone’s been really nice to me and my partner, so it is definitely a sad note that we’re leaving.

“I’d love to stay for a while, but unfortunately, I’m too used to the lifestyle of Australia, and between me and my partner, we’ve both got career aspirations that we’re ready to kick on with.

“It’s definitely something that we’re sad about, but at the same time we’re excited for the future. 

“It’s not something that I’ll ever look back on and be like ‘I wish I did this; I wish I did that’. I’m just really happy for the experience and what’s come out of it.” 

Josh Daley admits he has no regrets about his time with York Knights.Josh Daley admits he has no regrets about his time with York Knights. (Image: Craig Hawkhead Photography) The 28-year-old has been a part of some memorable matches during his time in the city, not least the club’s first Betfred Challenge Cup quarter-final in almost 20 years against Leigh Leopards last June.

Friend off the pitch Kai O’Donnell was far from one on it as his reckless spear tackle on the hooker earned him an early red card and a subsequent six-match ban.

Other standout moments include May’s incredible comeback at Swinton Lions and August’s historic win in Toulouse, as well as turning out against Bradford Bulls at Odsal and Batley Bulldogs at Mount Pleasant, two of the division’s most unique stadia.

“There’s been a few highlights,” he reflected. “I know I got put on my head in that Leigh Challenge Cup quarter-final, but that was still pretty cool! 

“The crowd, the atmosphere, us making it as far as we did in the Challenge Cup, it was really nice.

“I’m sure there’s other moments that are escaping me, but Toulouse, that was a really nice one. It was actually a bit emotional to stand on the sideline like ‘oh, this is really cool that all these people have come all that way to come and see us and we can do that job for them’.

“Swinton as well, coming back from 22-0 down to win 30-22, that was a really cool rollercoaster of emotions.

“The funny thing is Clint and I talked about it, and some of the boys as well, all the things that you get to do over here make for really good stories back home. You can go back and say I played at it.

“I know Odsal wasn’t great at times, but you still played there. It’s one of those grounds that my dad used to talk about watching rugby league when he was a kid, and even Batley, up that hill, I’ve played there.

“It just makes really cool stories that I can tell the kids that I’m teaching back home or even tell my own kids later in time. They’re all memories I can put in the memory bank.”