The end of an era in Knights office

But after 12 years of devoted and dependable service through a variety of ups and downs on and off the field, the departure still signals the end of an era at Huntington Stadium, in the office at least.

Leanne Cooper, the first person most people would speak to when phoning the club or entering the office (or even, more recently, when ordering a beer at the bar), will no longer be answering the phone or manning the office (or even serving the beer).

Instead, she has secured a transfer to another notable Minster city business, the York Pullman Bus Company.

To say Leanne merely answers the phone underplays her role enormously. In fact, her title club secretary probably underplays her role too.

She has been at the hub of much more office work than even she would care to consider – and considerably more than most of us would give credit for.

Having started out as an administrative assistant back in October 1998, in the days of York Wasps, she has been secretary, lottery manager, cashier, presentation ceremony organiser, bar manager, … and, as she jokingly says, “general dog’s body”.

Now, however, she believes it is time to move on – although one major benefit of the switch is that it means she will be able to see more games and support the club as a fan like everyone else.

“I will still be coming back to watch every game,” she said, as if that wasn’t already obvious.

“The York fans are a very loyal bunch who support the team through thick and thin and I’m looking forward to joining the rabble every Sunday and being solely a supporter.”

Leanne says the worst moment of her 12 years at Huntington Stadium was the demise of the Wasps midway through the 2002 season. Not only did she lose her job but her team also disappeared.

However, a few months of bar work later, she got a call from John Guildford and Roger Dixon, two of the men who resurrected York rugby league, to go back and be part of the new outfit, the Knights.

“It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster but I’ve really enjoyed my time here,” he said.

“The worst bit was when the Wasps went bust. The high point for me, though, was when York City Knights first formed, and obviously when we got promoted in 2005.

“The good feeling around the club was brilliant, as was feeling part of the whole team.”

There was a bit more of that good feeling last night when Leanne was given a deserved send-off with a few relaxing drinks in town.

She said: “Everyone has always been friendly at the club. That’s one of the reasons why I’ve stayed so long – people getting on together and pulling together. It’s a small organisation, similar to Pullman, with people who work hard together.

“Obviously I wish them all the best behind the scenes and now I’ll be the supporting the lads on the pitch with everyone else.”

Higgo’s fundraising dinner put back to better date

FOR those that don’t know, the big fundraising dinner in aid of the Higgo’s 13-a-side Foundation scheduled for tonight was recently postponed.

A couple of tables had to pull out due to other commitments, while the event also clashes with York Races, so the organisers decided to reschedule it for Saturday, September 4, again in Bar 13 at Huntington Stadium.

Rugby league legend Robbie Paul is lined up to be a guest speaker and some momentous auction items will go under the hammer including a signed Cristiano Ronaldo Manchester United shirt and what is believed to be the first-ever York City Knights National League Two winner’s medal to be made available to the public.

Higgo’s Foundation – set up in memory of Paul Higgins, the former Knights academy boss, scholarship coach and junior development guru, who died aged 56 in 2008 after a heart attack during a schools rugby league festival – distributes grants to local junior rugby league teams around the area.

Tickets, for anyone now able to go, cost £25 (or £250 for a table of ten) and include a three-course dinner and turns by a comedian and Kiwi great Paul, speaking in York for the first time ever. They can be bought via the Knights office on 01904 641724.

THE Supporters’ Club coach to Hunslet tomorrow coach leaves The Ainsty at 12.30pm, Clarence Street at 12.45pm and Huntington Stadium at 1pm. The price is £12 for adults, or £6 for children under 16 and Travel Club members. To book seats, phone 07958 569266.

Jack joins award-winning elite

AS if to underline the major impact he has had at Hun-tington Stadium, Jack Lee has matched a feat achieved by only two other Knights players since the new club’s inaugural 2003 season.

The 21-year-old hooker-cum-stand-off has become only the third player to win back-to-back Press Player of the Month awards, having followed his May triumph by topping the poll for the June accolade.

Lee only made his debut in the last game of April after joining from Featherstone.

The other players to achieve the feat were Adam Sullivan, who bagged a hat-trick in March, April and May of York’s title-winning 2005 season en route to the Press Player of the Year award, and Jason Golden, who took the gong in March and April 2006 en route to a career in Super League. Sullivan, of course, will line up against the Knights for Hunslet tomorrow.

Knights general manager Ian Wilson said of Lee: “When we found out he was available we moved pretty quickly to get him on loan and in those six seeks we saw the quality he has and the impact he had on the team.

“He’s shown he’s equally capable in the halves or at loose-forward as well as at hooker, and we moved quickly to sign him permanently.

“He’s an integral part of the side not just this year but moving forward next year as well.”

In winning the June award, Lee has also quickly risen to the top of the Press/Northern Rail Player of the Year standings.

He gets three bonus points to add to his player of the year tally, along with two points he was awarded for being named our second-best player in last week’s win over Doncaster – which shows he has started July in good form too.

And his haul sees him usurp long-time leader Lee Waterman at the summit – in the very same week the unfortunate Waterman suffered an ankle injury which rules him out of action for a month, thus denting his hopes of regaining the lead.

Danny Ratcliffe, a contender for player of the month after an enforced but eye-catching switch from full-back to scrum-half, was our man of the match last week and so picks up three points.

The other point went to in-form prop Jack Stearman.

Northern Rail/Press Player of the Year standings: Lee 20pts, Waterman 19, Ross 13, Waller 11, McLocklan 10, Freer 8, Ratcliffe, 8, Thorman 7, Tuffour 7, Blakeway 5, Hardbottle 5, Benson 5, Lineham 4, Applegarth 4, Stamp 3, Fallon 3, Stearman 3, Bromilow 2, Wilson 2, Reittie 2, Hill 2, Lewis 2, Clough 1.