York Knights boss issues update on recruitment plans after Super League promotion

Super League-bound York Knights have more signings in the pipeline – and coach Mark Applegarth says they aren’t heading into the top-flight just to make up the numbers.

York and Toulouse Olympique have been chosen by an independent panel to join the elite competition as it expands to 14 clubs next year. Bradford Bulls, who finished below them both in third place in the Betfred Championship, were promoted via the IMG club gradings.

Knights had already agreed to go full-time in 2026 and signings so far include Jon Bennison (St Helens), Paul Vaughan (Warrington Wolves), Jack Smith (Leeds Rhinos), Josh Griffin (Wakefield Trinity) and Justin Sangare (Salford Red Devils).

Speaking at a press conference today, Applegarth confirmed: “We are still looking at players. It’s important you get some established Super League players in, who you know can do the business.

“I’ve also got some players already in our ranks I know have got a burning desire to test themselves in Super League and I am sure they’ll  make that step up.”

He added: “All the makings are there for a good squad and there will be more signings, all being well, from Super League.

“Clint [Goodchild, club owner] takes the lead on recruitment. I am aware who we are chatting to, but he takes the lead on negotiations and it’s really important I can focus on coaching and make sure the players who are signed have got the support and environment they need to flourish.”

York Knights using Hull KR as a blueprint

Applegarth confirmed Championship player of the year Paul McShane, who left Castleford Tigers at the end of 2024 to go semi-professional with York, will be part of next year’s full-time squad.

York hasn’t had a top–flight club since 1985-86. Applegarth – who was coach of Wakefield Trinity in 2023 when the then-cash strapped club finished bottom of the top division – said: “I’m proud and privileged to be coaching York in Super League. It’s the vision that brought me to the club in the first place.

“Once I met with Clint he had a burning desire to get York back in and be competing.

“We’re happy and we’re privileged we’re there, but we don’t just want to go and make the numbers up.

“It’s not going to be a 12 month journey; if you look at teams like Hull KR and where they’ve come from, there’s a blueprint.

“Wakefield are on the way to establishing themselves and why not York? We’re where we want to be, the hard work starts now in terms of making sure we have a squad capable of competing – which I can’t think Clint enough for.”

York Knights topped the Championship table and won the 1895 Cup, but were beaten by Toulouse in this month’s Grand Final.

Applegarth insisted: “I don’t think people can say, performance-wise, York don’t deserve to be one of [the teams being promoted].

“I’d be very naïve if I said we didn’t need to sign some players. It’s a different level of competition, but what I loved about our squad is Clint brought in players who had potential and a higher ceiling.

“You don’t want to be happy just being average. Success in the long-term, you want to be competing for trophies.

“That’s not me saying York will be in the Grand Final this time next year, but we’ll have a team that will be competing every week.”

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