WE kicked off the Knights Diary pages last year with news that a Hall of Fame was being created to honour the greatest players in York Rugby League Club history.

And we’ll begin this season’s Diary in a similar vein, with news that the next band of heroes from the past 146 years are soon to be inducted.

Like last year, a special sporting dinner is to be held – later this month – to celebrate these luminaries of yesteryear, and The Press understands that a total of five men are to be added to this venerable honours list.

The original plan was for three to be inducted this year, to add to last year’s magnificent seven, but Gary Hall, of organisers KISS (the Knights Independent Supporters’ Society), explained that when the voting points were tallied up from the secret ballot among the selection panel, only one point separated the top quintet.

“Given it was so close, it would have been unfair to separate them, so the decision was taken to induct the five.”

Who these five are, however, is a closely guarded secret, and Hall was not giving any clues, although he did let slip that each decade from the 1950s to the 2000s is featured.

The famous five will be announced at the dinner – a smart-dress, four-course affair – to be held on Saturday, March 22, in Bar 13 at Huntington Stadium, starting at 7.30pm for 8pm.

What’s more, this event will mark almost exactly 30 years since York’s historic Challenge Cup semi-final, when they so nearly shocked the rugby league world by earning a place at Wembley.

And if that isn’t enough, the guest speaker on the night will be none other than legendary commentator Ray French, who actually commentated on that Elland Road semi-final against the mighty Wigan three decades ago.

The seven initial York RL Hall of Fame inductees 12 months ago were Geoff Pryce, Vic Yorke, Willie Hargreaves, Gary Smith, Norman Fender, Baz Watts and Edgar Dawson.

So who is set to join them?

The criteria for players to get on the Hall of Fame is that they must have played for York in at least four seasons and must have been retired for at least five years. All eras, from the original club’s maiden year way back in 1868 onwards, are considered.

The selection panel – comprising representatives from ex-players, ex-directors, supporters’ club, former staff, club statisticians, the local amateur rugby league arena and the media – were given a long list of possibles and asked to mark their top choices, in the aforementioned secret ballot.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if that 1984 Challenge Cup team were represented, in which case Graham Steadman, such a key part in that run, must be a leading contender.

Then there are the likes of Jeff Moores, Danny Sheehan, Graham Sullivan, Johnny Crossley, Kevin Harkin and, more recently, Richie Hayes. All great names in York history. Not forgetting a shining star of the 1950s, Charlie Taylor, who recently passed away. How fitting would it be if he were inducted?

There are many more possibles not listed here, and, whoever gets the nod, it promises to be another superb and uplifting occasion.

The bad news for fans who haven’t already got tickets is that only a few of the 120 remain. Anyone wanting to snap them up should phone either the club office on 01904 767404 or Hall on 01904 634902. Tickets are priced £25.

Last year, club statistician Stuart Evans gave his backing to the idea for a Hall of Fame, and his words still ring true.

“So many people have so many memories about the game and the club in the city, and this is a great way also for people to enjoy those memories again,” he said.

“It might cause some controversy with people debating who should be on the list, but it will be a great talking point and a lot of happy memories will come flooding back, which can only be a good thing.”


A FORMER Knights favourite of the present era, meanwhile, is close to a career milestone.

Peter Fox, the York Acorn ARLC product, who launched himself into Super League and onto international recognition after breaking try-scoring records for his home-town club, needs just two more touchdowns to reach 150 for his pro career.

He bagged 40 for the Knights in 2005 and 2006, 56 for Hull KR (2008-2011), 45 so far for Wakefield (2007 and 2012-2014) and seven for England (2008-2009).

His 40 for York came in only 45 appearances and included a Knights record 25 in a season in the 2005 National League Two title-winning campaign.


ANOTHER former Huntington Stadium mainstay, Danny Grimshaw, is also set to reach a career milestone tomorrow – against the Knights.

Tomorrow’s match will be Grimshaw’s 100th pro appearance. His current total of 99 comprises 68 for the Hawks since 2010, 29 for York (2006-2009) and two for Doncaster (2004). His tally for York would, of course, have been far greater but for injuries which hampered his time at the club.

Meanwhile, Nathan Massey – another ex-Knight, albeit only briefly in 2008 – also needs just one appearance to reach 100.

He has played 79 games for Castleford since 2007, to go with loan appearances for Featherstone (3 games), York (5), Gateshead (10) and Keighley (1). He has also played once for the USA (2007).


ANYONE wanting to book a seat on the supporters’ club coach to tomorrow’s match at Hunslet should phone 07443 564453.

The coach leaves Boroughbridge Road (opposite The Ainsty) at 12.30pm, Clarence Street 12.45pm, Huntington Stadium 1pm and York College 1.15pm. The price is £14.