'A milestone moment': York City Knights ready to seize unique opportunity

The Knights have invested heavily in the women's team and are on the brink of the ultimate reward.

Leeds Rhinos stand in the way of York and a first Super League title in Sunday's Grand Final at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

Two hours later in Halifax, James Ford's Knights men’s team will take on the Panthers for a place in the Championship semi-finals.

Chairman Clint Goodchild, who has been "living the dream" since taking control of the club in January, is ready to seize a unique opportunity.

"Everyone is buzzing around the office and the community has got it on the tips of their tongues," said the Australian businessman.

"It's a great time for the club and the city. As far as talking about the Knights period here at the club, it would be the biggest achievement we've had to date.

"To have a women's Super League champion and our first play-off win in the Championship as a club, both of those things would be firsts so it would be a milestone moment for us."

The schedule, which had to be amended following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, means fans of both teams face a difficult decision, although there is room for compromise thanks to Sky Sports and Premier Sports.

Goodchild plans to support Lindsay Anfield's side in St Helens before racing 53 miles across the M62 for the closing stages of the Championship eliminator.

"We'd rather have a clash than just one team playing," he stressed.

"It's not ideal and it does split the fanbase but the beauty of the games being broadcast means everyone should be able to watch both and show their support in a different way.

"I'll jump straight in the car to try catch the end of the play-off game. I'll get over there as fast as I can without getting a (speeding) ticket."

While Ford's team are the outsiders in the Championship play-offs, York City Knights Ladies go into a maiden Grand Final with fresh memories of clinching the League Leaders' Shield against Leeds.

After beating Wigan Warriors to book their spot in the showpiece, the spotlight has never been brighter.

"They've all grown up watching the men play on Sky Sports and it's only very recently we've started to see women play live," said director of rugby Anfield.

"Sometimes they pinch themselves and think that only three or four years ago we were walking around pitches picking up litter before we played.

"It's a massive change for a lot of them. At the Wigan game, there was a Sky Sports crew in the car park filming them getting off the bus, cameras in the changing room and interviews.

"They're not used to it at all but they're taking it in their stride and appreciating everything that comes with it."

Greater investment, high-profile signings and the addition of top-class backroom staff saw York reach the Challenge Cup final and Super League play-offs in 2021 before kicking on again this year.

Led by Anfield, it has been a remarkable turnaround for a team that finished second bottom two seasons ago with just one win from 13 games.

"When we discussed how we could put the women's team on the map, I had no idea that they would have such ambition to do what they've done," said Anfield, who swapped Castleford Tigers for York last year.

"They've given me free rein to recruit the players that I thought would suit York to create a really good culture. It's paid dividends for them.

"We're in a really positive and confident mood. We're just looking forward to it more than anything. It's the first really big event for the club in terms of the women's team.

"It's huge. If someone would have said to us at the beginning of the year that we'd win the League Leaders' Shield and be in a Grand Final, we would have snapped their hand off.

"We've enjoyed the season so much and this is a really good reward."

Women's sport is enjoying a meteoric rise, aided by the success of the England football team this summer.

In rugby league, York are playing a leading role in the exponential growth of the game.

"We've very proud of our women and are just trying to give them as much support as we can," said Goodchild. "It's one of the proudest things to be associated with what the game is doing and how quickly it is growing.

"This week I had a meeting with one of the local clubs, Heworth, and they've got over 100 participants. That's all happened very quickly.

"There's a lot of factors involved. It's a reinforcement that everything is on the right track with women's sport in this country following the Euros. That was confirmation that anything is achievable.

"It's such a pleasure to see how Lindsay and these girls go about their business, it really is. They're as professional as they can be and they care as much as anyone ever has about the game.

"When you see people acting that way and contributing to the sport the way they do, you can't help but just get behind it. That's what we do."

York have aspirations to reach the top of the men's game but success will not come easy.

The Knights had to settle for sixth place in the Championship, which may well mean having to beat Halifax, Leigh Centurions and Featherstone Rovers on the road in this year’s Super League quest.

For skipper Chris Clarkson, the ultimate dream will still be alive regardless of what happens over the next few weeks.

"Leigh have absolutely smashed it this year," he said. "They're the best team and Featherstone aren't far behind them.

"To get to the final is going to be very difficult, but we want to play against the best. What better way to do it than in the play-offs.

"Whether it be this year, next year or the year after that, I'd love to get the club into Super League as captain. That would be absolutely amazing.

"It's an ambitious club; Clint wants success.

"The ladies have been absolutely brilliant this year. They've been great to watch and great to follow.

"The club feels like it's going in a really good direction and it's exciting. I'm sure the fans are excited about where it could go as well."

Leigh and Featherstone have raised the bar in the Championship but there will be no panic at the LNER Community Stadium.

Goodchild will continue to be shrewd rather than "making the jump to full-time or throwing a million quid at players".

"It's one club, two teams," he added.

"When I say I want this to be the best club in the world, the only way to say that and mean it is for both teams to be winning.

"Our goal is to be the best club in the world and you can't make that claim unless you're winning on all fronts."

Beyond this weekend, York have the opportunity to win hearts and minds on the international stage.

The city will host four double-headers during the upcoming Women's World Cup, including the semi-finals.

"It's the first time a World Cup of any kind has come to York," said Goodchild.

"Post-Covid, the city is dying for opportunities to get together and celebrate.

"To have the double-header of the women's semi-finals here in York at the new stadium is going to bring a lot of people from our community to the game.

"They'll become familiar with the facilities and the game. If England are in there, they'll also become familiar with the characters of the game and the players that this club has brought through."

An honorary Yorker, Goodchild will stop at nothing to keep the Knights on the rugby league map.

"York is a unique city," he added.

"It's got rugby league roots that date back to the beginning. It's a growing and affluent city.

"It's iconic – everyone around the world has heard of York. They named a city after it somewhere over in the States apparently!

"Everyone has an attraction to the place so now with our facilities, community clubs and commercial division, it's all there to be had.

"We've just got to keep going to work and outwork everyone else in the game."