YORK City Knights expect new recruit Jonathan Schofield to be his own man – but wouldn’t mind if he replicates some of his dad’s attributes.

The half-back, who is the son of Great Britain and Leeds legend Garry Schofield, has signed from Hunslet Hawks for this year and next, along with hot York College prospect Tom Lineham.

However, while hoping he will be a chip off the old block in some respects, they want the 19-year-old to eke out a career in his own right.

Knights director of rugby James Ratcliffe said: “People will obviously look at his dad and compare them and they’ll look for him to follow in his dad’s footsteps.

“But you make you own careers not on the back of what your parents did. He knows he will have some obstacle to overcome because of it but he’s happy to get on with it.

“Garry Schofield was a fantastic player and hopefully we can get some of that with Jonathan.”

Schofield junior made his first-team debut for the Hawks in their 34-18 win at London Skolars at the end of last month, kicking three conversions.

However, he has otherwise played only in the reserves, which might raise eyebrows among Knights fans wondering why he has not broken through more often, especially given the indifferent form of the half-backs who played in the Hawks’ home defeat to York on Sunday.

Ratcfliffe, though, was impressed by the youngster in the Knights’ reserves defeat at the John Charles Stadium last Friday, and believes he can come on a lot under the coaching tutelage of player-boss Paul March, himself a half-back.

Ratcliffe explained: “I can’t comment on Hunslet. Maybe they feel he wasn’t experienced enough to play in big games like that.

“But he’s quick and dynamic, and if I didn’t think he was good enough to do well then I wouldn’t have signed him.

“He had one opportunity with Hunslet, in their match in London, and he went all right as far as I know.”

Ratcliffe also revealed he saw the young Schofield in action several times as a junior.

“He was in between my two sons in his age group so I saw a lot of him when he was a youngster. He played for Oulton Raiders and while he was pretty slight he had all the skills,” he said.

“We saw him at Castleford Under-21s and thought he was maybe a bit small but again he had all the attributes.

“He’s put a bit of size on at Hunslet when we watched him last week in the reserves. He looks good with ball in hand and has got a good kicking game, from the floor and out of hand, and good distribution skills.

“I think he just needs an opportunity and he’s hoping to learn quite a lot off Paul as well.”

The Press revealed last week that the Knights were in the hunt for a new scrum-half given Danny Grimshaw’s groin injury problems, which left the club with only March and Adam Mitchell as recognised first-team half-backs.

And while Schofield will come predominantly as cover, Ratcliffe says he would have no qualms putting him in if need be.

“We’re bringing him for the future not just for this year,” he said. “But it all depends on performance. If Adam or Danny isn’t playing well and Jonathan is, then there will be an opportunity. It boils down to performance, as it does with everyone.”

Schofield’s arrival also covers for the expected departure in the autumn of 18-year-old half-back Luke Watling.

The York College starlet is set to leave for university in London next term, meaning he is unlikely to continue at Huntington Stadium.

Meanwhile, the Knights are hoping Grimshaw could be back in full training next week, if work to strengthen his abductor and inner groin muscle is successful.


Future put on the Lineham

YORK City Knights felt they had to move quick to sign York College talent Tom Lineham on contract terms – to get there before rival clubs.

The 17-year-old has agreed a deal to run until the end of 2010, which sees him promoted from academy terms.

And Knights director of rugby James Ratcliffe reckons the former York RUFC junior is on the right road to being a rugby league ace.

“He’s someone we feel is an exciting prospect,” he said.

“He’s very raw but has great pace and great strength for his age and he’s a willing learner and very committed. He hasn’t missed a training session since he started.

“He’s a good prospect and we’ve moved before anyone else did. I think it was only a matter of time before someone would have snapped him up.”

Lineham played on the wing for the Knights in pre-season and has been a regular in the reserves as well as the York College team.

Ratcliffe, who also oversees the rugby league at York College, said: “I think he’ll end up as a back-rower once we get into him a bit.

“He’s been playing on the wing at the moment though some of that is because he’s come from rugby union and his positional play isn’t quite there yet. It depends how he grows as well as he’s only 17 and his body will change. He’s got a decent physique already and he will come on.

“He will come in and train with the first team and next year will get a full pre-season under his belt, and we’ll see what comes of him.”