DENNIS the Menace is coming back to York City Knights.

The recruitment of Huntington Stadium cult hero Dennis Tuffour on a permanent deal for 2011 was one of four new signings announced last night at the special bash organised to celebrate the club’s Championship One play-off success.

However, it seems one of the stars of the Knights’ promotion campaign – Luke Hardbottle – is to follow captain Jordan Ross out of the exit door and to Australia.

Players’ Player of the Year Ross is moving down under on the assumption his visa comes through and it has now been confirmed Hardbottle is doing likewise. Both have said they will return to York if those visa applications are unsuccessful.

Definitely on the way to Huntington Stadium next season, though, are winger Tuffour, Bradford Bulls product Duane Straugheir – after the Knights beat Championship table-toppers Featherstone to his signature – and, as expected, Gateshead duo Rhys Clarke and Matt Garside.

London-born Tuffour, 21, scored nine tries in 11 appearances for the Knights in mid-season while on dual-registration/loan from Hull, before returning to his parent club with a hope of breaking into their Super League side.

The Knights failed in attempts to bring him back for this season’s run-in but now have their man.

General manager Ian Wilson said: “He was a firm fans’ favourite when he was here and scored some great tries.

“We’ve been speaking to him for a while.

“He enjoyed himself when he was here, he knows the club, the coach and most of the players and that helped him make his decision to join us.

“He’s got aspirations to play in Super League still and, with us now being in the Championship, it’s an even better stepping stone to doing that.”

Straugheir, 21 this week, is a 6ft centre who spent four seasons with the Bulls, the last two of which were in the first-team squad.

He spent the bulk of that time in the reserves, although he had a spell on loan at Featherstone last season, making two starts and one substitute appearance.

The Press understands that Rovers, who were defeated by Halifax in the Championship Grand Final on the day the Knights beat Oldham to win promotion, also offered him a deal for 2011.

Wilson said: “The fact Featherstone wanted him shows there’s something there. They’re one of the top Championship clubs.”

The Press reported a fortnight ago the Knights had been linked with Clarke, and the club last night confirmed both he and Garside had now signed, following Matt Barron in making the move from Gateshead.

Garside, who nearly joined Super League side Huddersfield full-time last year but opted to sign for Gateshead while studying at Northumbria University, is a centre or back-row.

He scored both of the Thunder’s tries in York’s 60-12 win on Tyneside in June, in Dave Woods’ first game as Knights head coach.

Clarke is also a young back-rower, and Woods worked with both during his time as Thunder boss.

Wilson said: “Gateshead might have struggled this year but Dave knows them and has high hopes of them.”