York City Knights are delighted to announce that forward Tim Spears has agreed a new one-year deal, keeping him with the club for 2021.
Spears became one of the Knights’ first signings follow Jon Flatman’s takeover of the club late in 2016 and, in the following years, has led the team through a period of great progress. After missing out in the 2017 League One play-offs, the former Featherstone Rovers forward captained the team to promotion, lifting silverware as the Knights secured promotion on a memorable afternoon as the team defeated Whitehaven to secure the League One crown.
2018 saw the Knights make waves in the Betfred Championship as Spears led the team to a third-placed finish and the play-offs in the club’s first season back in the second tier since 2013.
Spears has made seventy-seven appearances for the Knights and, in the final match of the curtailed 2020 season, played in his 400th match as the club defeated Rochdale Hornets 70-12 in the Coral Challenge Cup.
While 2021 will see Spears taking to the pitch for the Knights at the LNER Community Stadium, he will also be embarking on a new role seeking to create more links between the Knights’ players and the fans and the work of the York City Knights Foundation.
On Spears’ retention, head coach James Ford said: “Tim is a very driven and focused young man who sets and upholds the highest standards. He’s been key to our progress and will be central to the direction we’re aspiring to go in.
“Tim will also be picking up some off-field duties which I believe will really help us continue to grow. Tim’s mental qualities and experience will be vastly important for us in 2021.”
Spears himself noted his happiness at extending his stay with the team before looking ahead to next season and his new role. “I’m delighted. I’m really looking forward to getting my head down and working as hard as I possibly can to be the best I can be in 2021,” he said.
“The club is in such a healthy place. You look at the stadium, the calibre of players we’ve signed and the calibre of players we’ve retained as well – it’s the place you want to be.”
Of his new off-pitch role, the veteran forward praised the club’s fans and noted his excitement of his new position. “Looking back at my time with the club, the fans welcomed me with open arms and have always been great with my family and me.
“To have that role to improve people’s experience around the Knights, either from a player or fan perspective, is an exciting one and something I’m really looking forward to.”
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