YORK CITY KNIGHTS Championship One promotion season review

Fate had conspired against the club from before day one, injuries left them bereft of key men at times, they had a change of coach mid-season, they never threatened top spot and, let’s be fair, a few performances had many people wanting to go back to the drawing board.

Even after they overcame all this and somehow reached last Sunday’s Championship One play-off final, they still went into that showdown against Oldham as rank outsiders, having finished 13 points behind the Roughyeds in the final table and having lost the previous two matches against them.

But, as supporters of the play-off structure would argue, true victors are those who win when it matters most. And this is what the Knights did – under the leadership of a certain “man with the Midas touch”, Dave Woods.

The Aussie had come to Hunting-ton Stadium in April as director of rugby, ostensibly to work alongside head coach James Ratcliffe.

Whether at that time club chiefs were planning for him to replace Ratcliffe further down the line is a point only of conjecture.

They said not, arguing they could have made that move then, or even earlier, but that switch did happen two months later, with general manager Ian Wilson at the time saying the decision was taken due to Ratcliffe’s inconsistent record.

Statistics would support this claim, while his time in charge had also been blighted by controversy, even if much of it was arguably unfair.

He had even taken over in odd circumstances, making the switch from director of rugby the previous July after the ‘Headingleygate’ affair and sacking of player-boss Paul March. Headingleygate had seen Ratcliffe and March, and four first-teamers, suspended by the club after an incident at a Leeds match. Ratcliffe, who had first arrived at Huntington Stadium as assistant to player-coach March, apologised for it; March did not.

Then, on the eve of this season, Ratcliffe was slapped with a six-month ban – four suspended – by the Rugby Football League after allegations he racially abused a member of the public while on duty with the York College team. This was one of those fates which conspired against the Knights this year.

His record last season comprised five wins and three losses, although two of those losses had occurred in the play-off semi-finals, the Knights having finished third.

This season, his record read five wins and five losses in the league, plus defeat in the Challenge Cup and Northern Rail Cup, albeit to higher-ranked opponents.

While he was suspended, the Knights had been one of only two Championship One clubs to reach the knockout stages of the Northern Rail Cup, after three wins from four group games, and they had won two of three league games, and beaten Gateshead in the Challenge Cup.

That Northern Rail Cup had started superbly, too, with a 13-12 win over Championship big-guns Leigh on the opening round of Northern Rail Cup matches, decided by Chris Thorman’s drop goal.

Former Hull star Thorman, the marquee off-season signing, and fellow assistant-coach Mick Ramsden, the York stalwart, had taken temporary charge in Ratcliffe’s absence, and they should be duly praised for their extra efforts in that time.

Ratcliffe’s return on March 28 was not a good one, as they suffered defeat at lowly Doncaster, but some cracking results did follow under his short reign, not least the 72-14 thrashing of Gateshead seven days later, and the 34-28 win at Oldham on May 9 – Dennis Tuffour scoring a stoppage-time winner to ruin the Roughyeds’ party on their first game at their new Whitebank home.

Lee Waterman had equalled the Knights’ goals-in-a-match record of 12 in the Gateshead game to underline his eye-catching rise into the semi-professional arena.

That rise continued as he ended up as Championship One’s top points-scorer, with 304, and named in the division’s Team of the Year, after finishing the year with 25 tries and 102 goals. The centre had also equalled the club’s points-in-a-match record of 28, also against Gateshead, on June 26.

That match was Woods’ first game in charge – after club chiefs had bitten the bullet and made the change at the top.

Installing the Aussie was not a complete case of going back to the drawing board given he was already at the club, nor did it appear a major risk given his track record of two promotions with his two previous clubs in England – Castleford in National League One (Champion-ship) in 2005, and unfancied Gates-head in Championship One in 2008.

But there was some gambling involved: few clubs who swap bosses mid-season get promoted, and the team had little time to get used to new methods. Ratcliffe’s candid approach, whatever the result, had also been popular with many fans.

But there can be little doubt the move paid off, as York’s own “King Midas” brought gold – or rather silverware – to Huntington Stadium for only the second time since the old club moved from Clarence Street 21 years ago.

Many supporters reckon Ratcliffe should still take some credit for the success the club enjoyed at the end of term, as he had laid foundations and helped to put the team together. Indeed, ten of the 17 players involved on the very first day of the season went on to shine in the Grand Final, while two more were cheering them on from the sidelines injured. Woods also praised the work he had done. But would the club have enjoyed such success if Woods was not the head honcho?

The Aussie could not stop arch-rivals Hunslet – now bossed by March and featuring countless former Knights – from doing the double over York en route to the title.

Nor could he prevent a league defeat at Oldham, although he did field a slightly experimental side that day anticipating a further meeting of the clubs in the play-offs.

But he won all the other five regular-season matches to take the Knights to third place for the second year in a row.

This was despite losing main men to injury. Club captain Richard Blakeway played his last game in May, with form props John Fallon and big Brett Waller following in June and July respectively.

Another prop, former Player of the Year Mark Applegarth, had also left for Australia in May, while cult winger Tuffour returned to parent club Hull in July after a swashbuckling nine tries in 11 appearances.

But, beyond all this, Woods was in-stilling a self-belief into his players, regardless of their standing in the game, as well as a teamwork ethic whereby each player trusted every team-mate to give 100 per cent.

That had been lacking earlier in the campaign, and saw a few players shipped out, either by Ratcliffe or Woods.

Vice-captain Joe McLocklan and Aussie Casey Bromilow had both disappointed and both left for South Wales. Ex-Super League player Danny Hill had also departed by then, and Chris Clough – a favourite of some fans for his impact style – followed near the end of term. Local favourite Danny Allan, a notable late-season recruit, was also omitted after refusing to be 18th man.

Those incidents aside, Woods seemed to have a positive effect on players.

Wingers Danny Wilson and Wayne Reittie and centre Mike Mitchell turned indifferent form under Rat-cliffe into confident, sure-footed displays. Reittie’s return to form more than made up for the loss to injury of speedy teenage prodigy Tom Lineham, while Mitchell deserved his play-off glory despite Ian Bell’s brief but headline-grabbing appearance in his stead in the qualifying semi-final loss at Oldham.

Others, like rookie props Callum Dinsdale and, to a bigger degree, local lad Jack Stearman, had come from nowhere to make an indelible mark on the promotion push.

Fellow front-rowers Alex Benson and Nathan Freer lifted their performances onto another plain, while second-row Matt Duckworth and loose-forward Luke “tackling machine” Hardbottle, both having come from Super League academies, nailed down starting berths in open age rugby, the latter in particular winning plaudits aplenty.

Duckworth was perhaps unlucky to lose his place late in the season, but no one can question the impact Ryan Esders had on the play-off surge after returning to the club on loan from Harlequins. Getting the big, aggressive Hullensian back at Huntington Stadium was a masterstroke by club chief John Guildford.

That belief and trust in each other was never more apparent than in the semi-final eliminator against big-spending Blackpool.

The Knights had unluckily lost 41-32 in that thriller at Oldham seven days earlier, and the Panthers came to York as favourites to join the Roughyeds in the final after easily negotiating their play-off passage.

They would also have finished well clear of the Knights in the table but for a ten-point deduction for breaching operational rules.

But Woods’ men, rather than lie down after their exhausting physical and mental exertions at Whitebank, stood tall and strong and totally outplayed their visitors in a 38-18 victory – led by half-back Thorman.

The then 29-year-old – he turned 30 on the very day York won the Grand Final – had not always starred in league games as some fans had maybe anticipated, but, if anyone delivered when it mattered most, it was the former Huddersfield and England skipper.

He controlled proceedings that day in a performance embossed with Super League class – and he repeated the deed in the Grand Final a week later, which will live long in the memory of all Knights followers.

In a performance which epitomised team spirit and confidence, their side turned the tables on the Roughyeds so much so that the margin of victory, 25-4, could easily have been bigger.

Another late newcomer to the club, full-back James Haynes, was The Press’ man of the match that day, but any one of the 17 could have laid claim to the award, not least Jack Lee and Jordan Ross, who were neck and neck in the Press Player of the Year stakes.

Hooker Lee, the April recruit from Featherstone, got that prestigious accolade, but the joy of lifting the play-off trophy went to Ross, alongside Danny Ratcliffe.

Earlier in the season, Woods had taken the armband off Ratcliffe and given it to Ross – and he duly went on to earn the old sporting moniker Captain Marvel as well as the Players’ Player of the Year award. Triumph was a fitting finale as he now leaves for Australia after two years at the club.

For his part, Ratcliffe, who was initially given the captaincy in the absence of Blakeway and the departed McLocklan, took Woods’ decision in his stride and was a more-than-worthy vice-skipper. Indeed, he was another standout performer all year at either full-back or in his later role at scrum-half, particularly in the latter part of the season after overcoming the disappointment of seeing his uncle James leave the club.

On that note, maybe James can share a little in his nephew’s triumph.

It was actually Ratcliffe junior who’d said before the Grand Final that he’d waited three years for such an occasion, having joined York ahead of the 2008 season.

It was a good point: few players get to play in finals. What’s more, fewer win them - and even fewer do so after a season like the one the Knights have had.

That said, if success when unexpected smells sweeter than when it’s nailed on, then 2010, despite its trials and tribulations, or possibly because of its trials and tribulations, will go down as one of the sweetest seasons in York RL history.

Player ratings

Players listed in order of appearances. (A – appearances; T – tries; G – goals; DG – drop-goals.) Danny Ratcliffe (full-back/half-back)

A29, T14, G19

Missed only one match all season – the last Northern Rail Cup group game. Must be one of the best full-backs outside Super League, and switched to scrum-half with aplomb to help his team to glory.

Lee Waterman (centre)

A26+1 as sub, T25, G102

Switched to centre and enjoyed a remarkable first full season in semi-pro rugby, ending it as Championship One’s top points-scorer with 304 and the Knights’ top try-scorer with 25. Now known as the Points Machine.

Jordan Ross (second-row)

A25+2, T0

Captain Marvel and Players’ Player of the Year. Enough said. Will be missed if his visa for Australia comes in and he stays down under. (Didn’t score a try, though.) Nathan Freer (prop)

A22+3, T0

Arguably the Knights’ most consistent prop, the strapping forward also improved as the season wore on. Faces the humiliating end-of-season forfeit for scoring no tries, though.

Dan Wilson (winger)

A22, T8

Not an eye-catching winger in the Dennis Tuffour mould but was always trusted to do a good job by Dave Woods.

Luke Hardbottle (loose-forward)

A14+7, T2

Textbook tackling technique, allied to no little handling ability, saw him pin down the loose-forward berth to become one of the season’s shining lights.

Chris Thorman (half-back)

A20, T6, G2, DG3

Didn’t always shine in the early games as perhaps expected of a Super League star but the man for the big occasion came into his own when it mattered and was the on-field mastermind of the play-off triumph. Does lots of good work for the club off the field too.

Mike Mitchell (centre)

A19+1, T5

Was dropped in mid-season due to indifferent form, especially defensively, but came back for the run-in and proved his worth.

Alex Benson (prop)

A14+6, T1

Didn’t stand out early in the season but came to the fore for the run-in and play-offs and, with Nathan Freer, laid the platform for knockout triumph.

Paul Stamp (hooker/half-back)

A11+8, T2

Youngster was a bit of a maverick on the pitch, in a good way, with eye-catching runs in among creative play. Not always consistent but he provided something different and should improve for the experience.

Jack Lee (hooker)

A18, T12

Press/Northern Player of Year, he had a massive impact at hooker since arriving in April. Hard-working defensively and creative, quick and clever at half-back.

Tom Lineham (winger)

A18, T11

Still learning the game, not least in defence, but his natural ability, size and blistering pace means the teenager could have a big future.

Jack Stearman (prop)

A2+16, T3

One of the good news stories of the season. Rose out of the shadows of the academy, reserves and a spell back in the amateur game to answer questions over his fitness and become one of the leading go-forward impact props in the division.

Joe McLocklan (hooker/loose-forward)

A16+1, T6, C1

There were games when his class shone through but he didn’t come up to the mark often enough and was moved on in late May.

Wayne Reittie (winger)

A16, T5

Indifferent start to the season, lost his place to Tom Lineham, but came back for the business end of the season and was a totally different player.

Brett Waller (prop)

A0+16, T7

The big dumptruck scattered defences before his season was curtailed by injury in June. If he can build on this first season in the semi-pro game, he could be a force in the Championship.

Richard Blakeway (loose-forward)

A14+1, T3

Fans possibly didn’t get to see the best of the club captain as his season was ended by injury in mid-May.

Chris Clough (second-row)

A1+12, T1

Almost always made an impact in games but, with daft offloads and penalties in among thumping tackles and attacking breaks, that impact could have gone either way.

Steve Lewis (utility)

A9+8, T3

Another season dogged by injuries but he was there at the end, to score the last try in the Grand Final.

Matt Duckworth (second-row)

A13+2, T5

A workhorse who, despite long travelling commitments, became an unsung hero.

John Fallon (prop)

A10+2, T0

Was arguably the standout prop before his season ended in June due to injury.

Mark Applegarth (prop)

A10+2, T1

Former Player of the Year didn’t hit those heights before his move to Australia in May.

Dennis Tuffour (winger)

A11, T9

Winger, on loan/dual-registration from Hull, became a cult hero with his tries and jack-in-a-box style, though his defence sometimes raised a few hairs.

Casey Bromilow (half-back)

A8+3, T5

Nippy and had talent but often went missing and was not in the same league as previous Aussie heroes at the Knights. Left in June.

Chris Williams (hooker)

A3+6, T0

Had to wait for his chance but the young student often did a fine job when called up.

Danny Hill (second-row)

A7+1, T2

Should have done a lot more before departing in April.

Jonathan Schofield (half-back)

A6, T7

The little fella had an excellent try-scoring record and has no little skill, but was targeted in defence and coaches said he needed to make other improvements.

Ryan Esders (centre/second-row)

A5+1, T5

The club pulled off a big coup when getting him back on loan from Quins and it paid off as he came up with big moments in the run-in.

James Haynes (full-back)

A5+1, T1

Press man of the match in the Grand Final after his best performance since joining on loan from Hull KR late in the season.

Callum Dinsdale (prop)

A2+4, T0

Waited a long time for a trial and was soon thrust into the first team due to injuries, but the stocky little prop rarely put a foot wrong and shared in the Grand Final glory.

Others: Danny Allan A5, T1; Kris Peacock A4+1, T2; Carl Barrow A0+4; Scott Woods A2+1; Ed Smith A0+2; Mark Falkingham A0+2; Tom Stancliffe A1; Ian Bell A1, T1; Davey Burns A1; John Davies A0+1; JyMel Coleman A0+1; Luke Helliwell A0+1; Mike Embleton A0+1; Ben Parkinson A0+1.