From Fordy Fivers to Tim’s tattoo, impressive attendances to great rugby, if you are looking for a feel-good Rugby League story then York City Knights may just be it.
Although they are currently a League 1 club everything seems to be going swimmingly for the Minster club, especially when you consider they were on the verge of disaster just two seasons ago.
Their off-field status was bleak and moving into the new stadium, projected to open its doors in mid-2019, seemed off the cards due to rows between the council and figures behind the scenes at the club.
But since chairman Jon Flatman came into the club, the Knights have been on the up and now everything is set for a push to the Championship.
Head coach James Ford has got York playing a very good brand of rugby, as shown by their performance against Catalans Dragons in the Challenge Cup and the first league match of the season against Bradford Bulls.
What may be more impressive is the club’s output, off the field.
Many clubs are criticised due to the media content shifted out of their respective channels.
York have got this down to a tee with some superb initiatives and ideas that have been hailed by fans, pundits and players of the sport.
In the lead-up to the record-breaking victory over West Wales Raiders, York’s marketing team released the Fordy Fivers.
Many pictures were photo-shopped to have celebrities, including Leonardo DiCaprio in the Wolf of Wall Street, Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather, holding Fordy Fivers.
Simple but effective! With a handful of travelling supporters coming to Bootham Crescent, York managed to gain a healthy crowd of 1,081 through the gates.
Following on from that, York have done other eye-catching articles such as James Ford becoming Lord Mayor of York (April Fools) and captain Tim Spears getting a gun tattooed on his leg, Raheem Sterling style.
Content like this makes York stand out from the crowd.
Sometimes we can be guilty of being ‘too’ professional. Sometimes we need to throw off the shackles.
Maybe it’s time to be a bit like York.