Knights have nothing to lose by setting up new fund

And this column says all power to it.

News that the fund was in the pipeline was revealed by The Press last week during the fall-out over the Nathan Massey affair, when the club explained one of the reasons they could not bring the Castleford prop back to Huntington Stadium was due to finances and the fear of breaking the salary cap.

“This year is the most we have ever spent on players, and we are doing the best we can to support the coach, but without additional income our hands are tied,” said a Knights statement.

“As a result of this we are in the process of establishing a squad builder fund that will enable supporters to donate money that will be specifically used for player recruitment/retention.”

This column made the point last week that cynics may claim the creation of such a fund – at a time when fans, and coach Dave Woods, wanted Massey back but the club hierarchy said no – was a bit too timely. In other words, it turns around the Massey controversy to put more onus on fans to stump up cash if they want to see better players. There is also a danger that the usual hardcore group of fans who already dig deep simply dig deeper.

Then again, we added, it is an initiative that should be applauded and one that needs supporting – and we’re sticking by that.

Furthermore, the fact fans can donate as little or as much as they like, or take part in fundraising activity as little or as much as they like, makes the scheme more amenable.

A squad builder fund – or rather the notion of a squad builder fund – had been created at the Knights back in 2008. That one basically involved the supporters’ club reaching a fundraising target of £20,000 to donate to the club for player recruitment.

The difference this time is that the fund will be separate to the Knights’ own resources.

This money will be held in a different bank account and will supplement – add to, not replace – the club’s normal player budget. This new account, all being well, will be opened within a fortnight, after the club’s appointment with the bank.

These additional squad builder funds will also be ring-fenced for player recruitment or player retention so fans know that whatever money they donate specifically to this fund will contribute to the team on the pitch, rather than day-to-day running of the club.

Knights general manager Ian Wilson did say Massey was an example of a player who could have been brought in had this fund already been in place, but he stressed the club had set no target this time, so as not to put pressure on anyone.

“If people want to and can donate, then that’s great,” he said. “The main reason behind the squad builder fund is to give the club a bit more money available for players.

“If the coach wants to bring in a player or retain a player who is not quite within the club’s budget constraints, then this could hopefully help.

“These funds could pay for a player or partly pay for a player. It provides more flexibility.

“Nathan Massey would be an example. A move probably would have gone through if the fund was in place.”

The club have promised to put profits from match-day programme sales and Pot of Gold raffle sales to the squad builder fund. It is anticipated that money raised by the independent supporters’ club will also add to his new account.

Even so, it is hard to tell just how successful this fund will be, especially in the current economic climate when many fans don’t have much extra to give in addition to their usual support for the team.

But Wilson said: “There’s nothing to lose by setting this up. If it only raises £1,000, that’s still £1,000 more than we had before for player recruitment.

“If it helps to only bring in one player, that one player could prove vitally important.

“We’ve got 500-plus season ticket holders and if every one put in a tenner in a year, that’s £5,000. But there’s no pressure to donate, there’s no minimum or maximum. If fans feel they’ve got a bit they want to put in, they can.”

He added: “Batley Bulldogs have a successful squad builder fund, and the fund at Leigh helped them to bring in (star full-back) Stuart Donlan.

“It seems to work well at other clubs and we see no reason why it won’t work well here.”

Details on how to donate to the squad builder fund will be made public once the bank account is set up.

“The idea is to make it as simple as possible to donate,” added Wilson.

THE Knights are taking bookings for the supporters’ bus to the vital relegation six-pointer away to Dewsbury on Sunday, June 26.

Prices are £12 for club members and £16 for non-members and pick-up points are the Ainsty (12.30pm), Clarence Street (12.45pm) and Huntington Stadium (1pm).

Head coach Dave Woods has called for a big turnout from the Knights faithful. To book a place, call into the Knights’ office on Roland Court, Huntington Road, or phone 01904 767404.

For rail travel options from York to Dewsbury, visit www.tpexpress.co.uk

Ryan’s back on top form

IT was a tough call last week but Ryan Esders just pipped Duane Straugheir as The Press’s man of the match against Widnes.

Whereas Straugheir continued to show the verve and vigour in the second row that earned him the Player of the Month award for May, as voted for by Press readers, Esders gave a real back-to-form show at centre.

Esders scored the final try and his offload to hand former Harlequins room-mate Ben Jones an easy finish was right out of the top drawer – showing the skills and strength that York had banked on when bringing him back to Huntington Stadium.

He picked up three Press Player of the Year points for that award while Straugheir added two more to his tally.

The final point went to captain Alex Benson, who led the battle up front, defying some recent terrace criticism and earning praise from coach Dave Woods.

Press Player of the Year standings: Davies 15pts, Lee 15, Straugheir 11, Freer 9, Thorman 9, Sutton 8, Massey 7, Bush 7, Presley 5, Thackeray 5, Jones 5, Benson 5, Esders 5, Clarke 3, Stearman 3, Garside 3, Waterman 2, Lewis 2, Barlow 1.