York City Knights have confirmed the signing of winger Will Oakes from Dewsbury Rams ahead of the 2022 campaign
Oakes, 22, has formerly represented the Knights in two different spells, the first in 2018 on dual-registration from Hull Kingston Rovers and in 2019 on loan from the same club. Across his two spells, the Halifax-born player scored fourteen tries across twenty-four matches in a York shirt.
In 2020, Oakes signed for Dewsbury Rams before making that permanent ahead of a 2021 campaign which saw him make fourteen appearances for the West Yorkshiremen.
During his previous spells with the Knights, Oakes played his part in some memorable days for the club, not least his two-try showing in our victory against Bradford Bulls at Bootham Crescent in 2019.
Oakes has also been included in the Scotland squad for their match this Sunday against Jamaica at Featherstone Rovers’ Millenium Stadium alongside Jack Teanby, the latter in line to make his international debut.
On bringing Oakes back to the club, Knights Head Coach James Ford said: “Will is still a very young man with lots of room for growth. He’s already played Super league with Hull KR and is very keen to get back to those levels and beyond.
“Will is a very strong ball carrier and showed in his previous stint with the club that he is a top-class finisher.”
Oakes added: “I’m really happy to be back again. It’s a place I’ve been before and, hopefully, I can enjoy my time with York as much as I have previously.
Discussing the importance of Ford to him signing, Oakes noted: “I know him obviously from my previous spells and I feel like I’ve played quite well under Fordy so hopefully I can kick on even further under him.
“Being his actual player this time, as opposed to being on loan previously, I’m keen to get the full experience of being under Fordy and developing with him.”
“That promotion-winning year, that was great. I’ve just enjoyed all my time at York previously and that’s where I want to be again.”
