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York Knights kick off their 2024 season with a trip to Newcastle Thunder in a revamped AB Sundecks 1895 Cup at Kingston Park on Saturday (3pm).
York are part of a three-team Group Three alongside Newcastle and Wakefield Trinity, with each of the seven group winners and the best second-placed team qualifying for the Quarter-Finals, with the competition’s Final taking place at Wembley Stadium alongside the Betfred Men’s Challenge Cup Final and the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final.
The Knights open with a visit to Kingston Park, facing a Newcastle side who have endured a tumultuous winter following their relegation from the Betfred Championship.
Newcastle announced that they would not compete in the Betfred League One in October before a group of volunteers, led by Chairman Keith Christie, succeeded previous owners Newcastle Rugby Ltd and confirmed that their application to rejoin the third tier had been accepted by the RFL in late December.
The new-look Thunder remain under the tutelage of former York Knights Head Coach and Captain Chris Thorman, with the Wallsend-born man seeking to lead Newcastle to a respectable finish in Betfred League One this year after an ordeal of an off-season.
York travel to the North East with plenty of fresh faces themselves, having made 10 signings during the close season, including the high-profile additions of Leeds Rhinos playmaker Richie Myler, Wakefield Trinity full-back Will Dagger and Hull KR veteran Jimmy Keinhorst.
Head Coach Andrew Henderson has also recruited from relegated Newcastle, with ex-Thunder trio Connor Bailey, Nikau Williams and Alex Donaghy all potentially in line for their Knights debuts against their former club.
The Knights were just 80 minutes away from an appearance at Wembley Stadium last year but a 22-8 defeat at home to Batley Bulldogs at the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Semi-Finals prevented a second outing at the national stadium in the space of the last three years.
York will bid to begin their run to Wembley with a victory over Newcastle, whom they have beaten in the last eight meetings between the two sides, ahead of hosting Betfred Championship promotion favourites Wakefield at the LNER Community Stadium on Sunday 4th February (3pm).
York Knights begin their 2024 season with a trip to Newcastle Thunder in the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup at Kingston Park on Saturday (3pm).
Tickets are priced at £15 for Adults and Concessions and £5 for Under-16s and are only available to purchase on-the-gate! Click HERE for more information.
