CHRIS THORMAN has backed calls for York City Knights to name his successor as head coach as soon as possible – but has said whoever gets the job is likely to enjoy his time at Huntington Stadium.

The 31-year-old player-boss is to hang up his boots at the end of this season and quit York to take up a number two role at Super League club Huddersfield, where he spent much of his playing career.

His assistant-coach, Mick Ramsden, has already said it would be beneficial for Knights’ squad recruitment for 2013 if players knew who would be in charge, and Thorman agreed.

“It can be hard to recruit if you don’t know who the coach will be. I would reiterate Mick’s sentiments on that,” he said.

The Geordie has now flown to the USA for a family break with his American wife, with his team having no game this coming weekend.

Chairman John Guildford is also currently on holiday, but The Press understands talks with prospective head coaches are under way and a new man could be announced by the middle of this month.

Thorman revealed he had received numerous phone calls from potential applicants asking about the job. He joked his advice to anyone contemplating doubling up like he did as a player-coach would be steer clear, before stressing it had been a great job for him during his transition from playing to coaching.

He also declared his enormous respect for the York fans.

“If anybody asked if they should do it, I would say no,” he laughed, regarding a player-coach role.

But he added: “It’s quite a tough ask to coach and play at the same time. It’s a tough juggling act. But I have massively enjoyed it and learned a lot about myself more than anything.

“It’s going to be different at Huddersfield – it’s a full-time environment which is where I want to be.”

Asked what he would tell any prospective York head coach, he said: “I’d tell them this club has played a big part in my life but that you have to understand, especially if you’re coming from Super League, it’s not a huge club with hundreds of people working here.

“They get by with a lot of help from the fans and ultimately from John Guildford. You have to have a good relationship with John and with (general manager) Ian Wilson, who plays a massive part in everything the club does.

“John pays your wages so is entitled to an opinion but at the same time he lets you get on with your job, which is great.

“The fans have been great. Fans at Championship clubs pay their hard-earned money, they come and they support. You can only look up to them, especially the die-hards. They’re the people that pay the money and I’ve got nothing but massive respect for them.

“I just wish we had a few more. I really believe this club deserve more. The fans we have are some of the best in the game.”

His one year at the helm has so far proved difficult on the scoreboard, with one win in 12 Championship outings, the latest defeat coming at home to Dewsbury on Friday night.

But of his time overall at York, Thorman said: “In my first year we got promoted from Championship One and I contributed quite a lot to that, and in the second year we consolidated our position in the Championship.

“I will save judgement on this season. I think we’ve improved with squad strength and performances have picked up a bit. Hopefully we can finish on a high – which is something the club and the fans deserve.”