Mark Applegarth has welcomed York Knights' takeover, believing the Super League outfit now have the financial backing to build a team capable of challenging for trophies.

York last week confirmed that a group headed by David Dickson and his family had reached an agreement to acquire majority shares in the club.

The deal marks the end of Clint Goodchild's tenure, during which York enjoyed unprecedented success, and begins an exciting new chapter for the Knights and Valkyrie.

"Clint has done a fantastic job in getting York on the map and into Super League," said Knights boss Applegarth. "But if you want to compete at the right end of the table, there's only so much you can do without having the right financial backing. There's no hiding away from that fact.

"I think York is in very capable hands. David and his family are York through and through. It's not just the Knights that they're actively involved in – it's the city of York. Things are getting done for the right reasons.

"I'm really excited for what the future holds. It's such an iconic city in the UK. You've seen when we're serving up a good brand of rugby, we'll have a fanbase that's fully behind us.

"My job is to build a team that is capable of challenging for trophies. That's why I'm at York."

The Knights sit second from bottom heading into the penultimate round after a challenging introduction to Super League.

Mark Applegarth has welcomed York's recent takeover. (Photo: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com)

placeholder image — Mark Applegarth has welcomed York's recent takeover. (Photo: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com)

But Applegarth, whose side have recorded statement wins over Hull KR and St Helens along the way, is convinced York will go from strength to strength as a top-flight club.

After watching former club Wakefield book a play-off spot on Saturday, he said: "That's what we're aspiring to.

"We've got the nucleus of a good squad and have some guts about us. You can't shy away from the fact that some of the players need to get a bit of experience so they can turn that stardust they've shown in different leagues or different countries into Super League.

"We've got to recruit solidly over the next recruitment cycle or two. We aren't happy just being in Super League making the numbers up; we want to be challenging for trophies like Wakefield are now.

"Now all the ownership stuff is out in the open, we can draw a line in the sand and start progressing forward."