ALL clubs in the Champion-ship and Championship One, like York City Knights, will work with squad numbers for the first time this year.

Players will be given a shirt numbered from one to 25 which they will wear throughout the season.

Anybody outside this 25 who takes to the field will wear a shirt numbered from 31 to 36 in the match – but if any of these go on to play four or more games they will be given a permanent squad number from 26 to 30, or thereafter 37 and above.

The idea of squad numbers cuts costs as it means they keep the same shirt for each player rather than renumber shirts for
players of different sizes. Fans can also buy a shirt with their favourite player numbered and named on the back.

The Knights coaching staff picked their 25 in December, as per the deadline, so some leading players who joined after that date might have to wait for their squad number.

Also, number 24 was given to winger David Leeke, but he has not been involved due to university commitments.

Here, PETER MARTINI looks at the Knights squad…

1 Danny Ratcliffe
Full-back
Date of birth: 14/3/87
Missed only one game last year and will look to improve for that debut season at this level and become one of the best full-backs in the division.

2 Steve Lewis
Winger/centre
Date of birth: 22/10/86
Former Wakefield youngster came into his own as a winger in the run-in last season.

3 John Oakes
Centre/winger
Date of birth: 12/2/88
Very consistent for a youngster and was Knights’ only ever-present last year.

4 Dave Clayton
Centre/full-back
Date of birth: 23/09/88
Did a fine job after signing from Dewsbury ahead of last season’s run-in. Improving too.

5 Johnny Waldron
Winger
Date of birth: 22/10/02
Past two seasons have been
decimated by injury and he will hope to show his pace and try-scoring ability this time round.

6 Adam Mitchell
Stand-off
Date of birth:7/8/81
Brought craft, organisation and know-how, and was quickly promoted to vice-captain, when he arrived from Keighley ahead of the run-in last season.

7 Paul March
Player-coach - Scrum-half
Date of birth: 25/7/79
Former Super League half-back learned lessons both on and off the field last year in his first season at Championship One level and as a coach in the professional game. Clearly has quality as a player and the way the Knights fared with and, at times, without him proved he was, and remains, key to the club’s chances.

8 Danny Ekis
Prop
Date of birth: 17/1/82
Can bounce off tackles and have a massive impact when his offload game is on song.

9 Paul Hughes
Team captain - Hooker
Date of birth: 28/12/84
The former Featherstone dummy-half was given the armband this off-season after showing leadership qualities at the end of last term and in training. A talkative player on and off the pitch, he is hard-working and can be feisty too, and he is also still improving. Looking forward to the new responsibility of captaincy alongside new club skipper David March.

10 Adam Sullivan
Prop
Date of birth: 14/11/82
The Press player of the year in the 2005 promotion season, who is a proven prop at this level. Pack leader who will benefit from his first off-season in two years.

11 Rob Kelly
Second-row
Date of birth: 1/3/86
Regular top tackler last year after his move from Dewsbury.

12 Tom Haberecht
Second-row
Date of birth:17/5/85
Aussie’s signature was seen as a coup when he finally arrived from Castleford for the run-in last season, and he could be a big player this year.

13 Richard Knight
Second-row
Date of birth:6/10/85
Big, tall player has signed from Keighley and his best form will certainly boost the Knights.

14 Tom Hodgson
Hooker
Date of birth: 12/5/88
Youngster burst onto the scene midway through last year with tries
aplenty from dummy-half, pushing Paul Hughes for a starting shirt. Hopefully still on the upgrade.

15 Chris Clough
Forward
Date of birth: 20/1/87
Will hopefully bring presence and a good off-load game after signing from Huddersfield academy. Brother of Wakefield’s ex-England prop Richard Moore.

16 Jordan Ross
Second-row
Date of birth: 25/10/84
Knights hope a spell in Australia will see the former Leeds and Rochdale youngster come back better than ever.

17 Scott Woodcock
Prop
Date of birth: 15/11/83
Massive bloke who should have learned from a promising, if at times inconsistent, debut season in the semi-pro game. Big impact sought.

18 Steve Grundy
Loose-forward/ centre
Date of birth: 2/12/85
Hard-working with good footwork and turn of pace, he made big strides in the first-team picture last year.

19 Kris Peacock
Second-row
Date of birth: 11/2/87
Another youngster to come from Hull FC, again with a point to prove.

20 Adam Jones
Centre/winger
Date of birth: 31/5/90
Former England schoolboy and York Acorn player is looking to kick on after arriving from Castleford’s academy.

21 David March
Club captain - Loose-forward/ hooker
Date of birth: 25/7/79
Followed his twin, player-coach Paul, to York ahead of last season after a decade in Super League. A star man when on the field and a key figure, he was missed more than anyone when not there. Well-respected by his peers, as shown by his winning the Players’ Player of the Year award, he is looking for an even better year this time.

22 Tom Stancliffe
Winger
Date of birth: 26/9/90
Former New Earswick junior showed an eye for the try-line in pre-season after signing from Hull’s academy.

23 Adam Endersby
Prop
Date of birth:7/1/82
On the fringes last year and will hope for more consistency if given opportunities.

25 Garry Green
Prop
Date of birth: 8/7/80
Aussie signed from Keighley is hoping to get a visa to play and prove himself to be too good for this level.

Mark Applegarth
Forward
Date of birth: 10/12/84
Big boost when he re-signed during pre-season games. Former Wakefield player tackles
anything and should provide a presence.

Sam Blaney
Centre
Date of birth: 4/12/89
Remained on the fringes last year and will hope to push on.

Danny Grimshaw
Half-back
Date of birth: 25/2/86
Injury nightmare is hopefully over for this youngster who has obvious class when in form.

Dan Hunter
Prop
Date of birth: 28/3/87
Big academy player hoping to make strides in the game.

Wayne McHugh
Centre/winger
Date of birth: 1/1/80
Controversial, but a prolific scorer with previous clubs.

Mike Mitchell
Centre
Date of birth: 7/4/85
Looking to prove a point after signing from Hull FC under-21s.

Jack Stearman
Prop
Date of birth: 30/1/88
Pushing for first team after good academy displays.

Joe Stearman
Winger
Date of birth: 30/1/88
Steady player who joined twin Jack in the ranks.

Danny Walton
Loose-forward
Date of birth: 14/11/89
Youngster looking to work his way up.

Luke Watling
Half-back/ loose-forward
Date of birth: 18/4/91
Still learning his trade.

Oliver Wilcox-Harrison
Second-row
Date of birth: 10/10/89
Former academy player of the year.

Tom Wilcox-Harrison
Centre/winger
Date of birth: 10/10/89
Twin of Oliver who should improve via academy.

Chris Williams
Hooker
Date of birth: 28/6/90
Teenager signed on the recommendation from Wakefield.

Carl Barrow (trial)
Second-row
Date of birth: 29/6/81
New Earswick amateur who has had spell with York Wasps.

Lee Waterman (trial)
Full-back
Date of birth: 13/4/87
Skirlaugh amateur looking to break into the semi-pro arena.