NATHAN FREER is clear in pole position for The Press Player of the Year award after being voted the Player of the Month for July by Press readers.

The ever-improving prop, who only turned 22 in May, was one of the few players to come out of the Halifax debacle and the preceding defeat to Toulouse with his head held high.

Before that, he gave arguably the best individual performance by any Knights player this season when leading from the front in the wonderful win over high-flying Batley at the beginning of the month.

The award, which has been by head coach Dave Woods and was presented ahead of last night’s game against Featherstone, sees Freer, right, collect three bonus points to add to his player of the year tally.

Woods said: “He’s been real good for most of the year and in the last month has really stepped up. He’s playing some real good footy, he’s maturing a lot and improving a lot.”

He had taken over at the top of the leaderboard after the Halifax game and these bonus points took him four points clear ahead of last night’s match.

Joe Hemmings got off the mark with three points as man of the match on debut, while James Haynes earned two and much improved Brett Waller bagged the one point on offer.

Luckless Duane Straugheir’s injury in training, which has ruled him out for the rest of the season, means he cannot now lift the prestigious trophy, nor break into the top three.

The Press Player of the Year standings: Freer 19pts, Davies 15, Lee 15, Thorman 14, Straugheir 14, Bush 12, Benson 9, Sutton 8, Massey 7, Presley 5, Thackeray 5, Jones 5, Esders 5, Ford 3, Clarke 3, Stearman 3, Garside 3, Hemmings 3, Haynes 2, Waterman 2, Lewis 2, Barlow 1, Waller 1.

TICKETS are on sale for this year’s end-of-season presentation evening.

The event will be in aid of York City Knights Foundation, and will take place on Friday, September 23, at Bar 13.

It is a black tie event, with tickets priced at £50 to include canapes and drinks reception from 6.45pm, a three-course dinner with tea/coffee and mints, the awards ceremony, a charity auction, and a live band and disco into the early hours.

The Foundation summer draw will also take place on the night.

Tickets are limited so fans are urged to book early by phoning the Knights office on 01904 767404.