Supporting the cause

11:32am Saturday 23rd August 2008

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TOMORROW is a rather a significant day in the history of the York City Knights Supporters’ Club, and in turn the Knights.

At the half-time interval of the home match against Rochdale, the fans will present a cheque to Knights chairman Roger Dixon of £20,000, money raised the Supporters’ Club through various fundraising events and the many on-the-road race nights.

At the end of 2007, the fans’ body undertook to raise that sum of money this year for the Knights’ ‘squadbuilder’ scheme, a ring-fenced fund set aside for team strengthening. The idea was that, rather than give money here and there to the club, this plan focused energies on a significant target, cash which would directly benefit the team they supported – and they have come up trumps.

In fact, the benefits of the supporters’ fundraising have already been seen, as it was their money that earlier this month helped the Knights pay a fee to Dewsbury Rams to sign centre Dave Clayton. That was believed to be a four-figure sum, and was in addition to this £20,000.

Knights general manager Ian Wilson said: “We’re extremely grateful for the hard work the Supporters’ Club do. The fundraising nights do take a lot of time and effort. Without their help we wouldn’t be able to do as much as we do or sign some of the players we do.

“Hopefully, people will get behind them again next year and raise as much money as possible for the benefit of their club.”

The Supporters’ Club’s events crew, led by chairman Gary Hall and ‘Big Ian’ Hick, have staged a huge number of race nights throughout the year, as well as other events, at various pubs and clubs around the city.

Hall was quick to thank all the landlords, staff and regulars at those establishments. Those pubs included: The Ainsty, Boroughbridge Road; Cue Ball Snooker Club, James Street; Half Moon, Strensall; Yearsley Grove, Huntington Road; Sun Inn, Acomb; Quaker Wood, Foxwood Lane; Shoulder of Mutton, Heworth; Nags Head, Heworth; Walnut Tree, Heworth; Cygnet, Nunnery Lane; Locomotive, Holgate Road; Huntington Sports Club; Black Bull, Hull Road; Black Horse, Wigginton; Derwent Arms, Osbaldwick; Clifton Hotel, Clifton; Bumper Castle, Wigginton Road.

Hall said: “Without their help and support we could not have made this donation to the Knights.”

Representatives from each pub have been invited to the Rochdale game as guests of the Supporters’ Club, who are match sponsors tomorrow.

As well as working hard to achieve the target of £20,000, the Suppor-ters’ Club have also raised significant sums of money for the family of former player Lee McTigue, who tragically died in December, the Knights academy players who were picked for the Student World Cup in Australia, and the local amateur rugby league scene.

HOPEFULLY a big crowd will be there to see the cheque handed over tomorrow – especially now that the Knights are giving free entry to all under-16s.

As reported by The Press, the Knights have said they want to give something back to the fans and the community and hope this gesture will draw a big attendance who can get behind their team ahead of their play-off push.

Knights player-boss Paul March said: “The fans have been fantastic. I urge all of them to bring their children, grandchildren and friends and cheer us on.”

Under-16s are asked to use the designated turnstile at the main stand. There is a £2 charge as normal for transfer to the seating area.