Head coach James Ford signs new York deal

York have announced that head coach James Ford has signed a new three-year deal with the club, securing his future until at least the end of the 2024 season.

The 39-year-old became the first full-time head coach in the Knights’ history. That season, he masterminded the club’s title-winning campaign, overcoming Bradford in a top-of-the-table battle.

Entering the second tier for the first time since 2011, Ford then guided the Knights to a third-placed finish, winning the 2019 Betfred Championship Coach of the Year award in the process to back up winning the League 1 equivalent the season before.

Ford has also coached at international level when, in 2018, he joined the England academy setup. In December of that year, the national team became only the third team from these shores to ever whitewash a counterpart Australian outfit, winning both matches of their two-match series.

Former Super League centre Ford passed ten years with the Knights in April this year, first joining the club as a player in 2011 – making over fifty appearances for the Knights – before becoming head coach in 2015 after spells as Under-20s coach and assistant.

READ: Frankie Halton on fulfilling Super League dream.

😍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐄𝐄!#WeAreYork⚔️ pic.twitter.com/yvxYQfqekr

— York City Knights⚔️ (@YorkKnightsRLFC) November 7, 2021

James Ford on new deal

“I’m absolutely delighted,” he said.

“It’s a project that I’m really enjoying and I think that, over the time I’ve been here, the progress the club has made is very clear and evident. The thing that excites me the most, however, is the potential of the club. I don’t think we’ve got anywhere close to fulfilling the club’s potential yet which is really exciting.

“It’s between Jon and I but anybody who knows me is aware of where I want to take this club. I want to be at a club that matches my ambition and I am. I’m confident in the leadership above me and I’m absolutely looking forward to the next three years.”