2021 York City Knights season

Rugby league team season

York City Knights 2021 season

2021 RFL Championship Rank| 9th
Play-off result| N/A
Challenge Cup| 3rd round
Team information
Chairman| Jon Flatman[1]
Head Coach| James Ford[2]
Stadium| York Community Stadium

colours

colours

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| ← 2020 | List of seasons | 2022 →

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In the 2021 rugby league season York City Knights competed in the 2021 RFL Championship, the 2021 Challenge Cup and the 2021 RFL 1895 Cup. It was the first season that the club played at the York Community Stadium.[3] At the RFL end of year awards York was named as the Championship Club of the Year.[4]

## Results

[edit]

### Championship

[edit]

Main article: 2021 RFL Championship

#### League table

[edit]

Pos | Team

* v
* t
* e

| Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PP | Pts | PCT | Qualification[a]

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1  |  Toulouse Olympique[b] | 14  | 14  | 0  | 0  | 698  | 124  | 562.9  | 28  | 100.00  | Championship Leaders' Shield & advance to semi-final
2  |  Featherstone Rovers | 21  | 20  | 0  | 1  | 943  | 292  | 322.9  | 38[c] | 90.48[c] | Advance to semi-final
3  |  Halifax Panthers | 21  | 13  | 0  | 8  | 528  | 354  | 149.2  | 26  | 61.90  | Advance to eliminators
4  |  Batley Bulldogs | 21  | 13  | 0  | 8  | 561  | 411  | 136.5  | 26  | 61.90
5  |  Bradford Bulls | 20  | 12  | 0  | 8  | 514  | 501  | 102.6  | 24  | 60.00
6  |  Whitehaven | 22  | 12  | 1  | 9  | 502  | 524  | 95.8  | 25  | 56.82
7  |  London Broncos[b] | 20  | 11  | 1  | 8  | 552  | 579  | 95.3  | 21[d] | 52.50[d] |
8  |  Widnes Vikings | 21  | 9  | 1  | 11  | 494  | 534  | 92.5  | 19  | 45.24
9  |  York City Knights | 20  | 9  | 0  | 11  | 502  | 477  | 105.2  | 18  | 45.00
10  |  Dewsbury Rams | 21  | 8  | 1  | 12  | 360  | 608  | 59.2  | 17  | 40.48
11  |  Newcastle Thunder | 20  | 7  | 1  | 12  | 431  | 627  | 68.7  | 15  | 37.50
12  |  Sheffield Eagles | 20  | 5  | 3  | 12  | 420  | 665  | 63.2  | 13  | 32.50
13  |  Oldham | 21  | 2  | 1  | 18  | 308  | 748  | 41.2  | 5  | 11.90  | Relegated to League 1
14  |  Swinton Lions | 22  | 2  | 1  | 19  | 404  | 773  | 52.3  | 5  | 11.36

Source: [1]
Rules for classification: 1) win percentage; 2) points scored percentage (points scored divided by points conceded).
Notes:

1. ^ Teams must have played at least 70% of scheduled fixtures (16 matches) to qualify for the play-offs. Fixtures involving Toulouse that are cancelled due to quarantine restrictions do not count against either team involved in respect of the 70% requirement.[5]
2. ^ a b Toulouse were awarded the fixture against London scheduled for 17 April after London declined to travel to France. Toulouse are awarded the two competition points and for points scored percentage the score is recorded as a 24–0 win for Toulouse. The game does not count towards the number of games played by London to determine eligibility for the play-offs
3. ^ Featherstone deducted 2 points for breach of the RFL Operational Rules in March 2021.[6]
4. ^ London deducted 2 points for breach of the RFL Operational Rules in failing for fulfil the fixture against Toulouse in April 2021.[7]

#### Championship results

[edit]

W Win D Draw L Loss – Postponed/Cancelled/Expunged

Date and Time | MW | Versus | H/A | Venue | Result | Score | Tries | Goals | Attendance | TV | Report

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Championship results  3 April, 16:30  | 1  |  Toulouse Olympique | H  | York Community Stadium | L  | 6–21  | Jones-Bishop  | K. Dixon  | Played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  |  | [8]
18 April  | 2  |  Sheffield Eagles | H  | York Community Stadium | L  | 14–20  | Jubb, K. Dixon, Salter  | K. Dixon  |  | [9]
25 April  | 3  |  Swinton Lions | A  | Heywood Road | W  | 64–16  | K. Dixon, R. Dixon (2), Marsh (4), Wynne, Dean (2), Atkins  | K. Dixon (10)  |  | [10]
2 May  | 4  |  Dewsbury Rams | A  | Tetley's Stadium | W  | 30–20  | Atkins, Stock, K Dixon, Marsh (2)  | K. Dixon (5)  |  | [11]
9 May  | 5  |  Featherstone Rovers | H  | York Community Stadium | L  | 16–20  | Marsh, Salter  | K. Dixon (2)  |  | [12]
16 May  | 6  |  Widnes Vikings | A  | Halton Stadium | W  | 35–14  | Scott, Jones-Bishop, Washbrook, Lewis (2)  | K. Dixon, Dean (Drop goal)  |  | [13]
23 May  | 7  |  Oldham | H  | York Community Stadium | W  | 34–6  | Jubb (2), K. Dixon, Dean, March, Clarkson  | K. Dixon (5)  | 1,000  |  | [3][14]
30 May  | 8  |  Bradford Bulls | A  | Odsal Stadium | L  | 18–37  | K. Dixon, Atkins, Clarkson  | K. Dixon (3)  |  |  | [15]
12 June  | 9  |  Halifax Panthers | A  | The Shay | L  | 6–30  | Marsh  | K. Dixon  |  |  | [16]
20 June  | 10  |  Batley Bulldogs | H  | York Community Stadium | L  | 20–22  | Jones-Bishop, K. Dixon (2)  | K. Dixon (4)  |  |  | [17]
27 June  | 11  |  Whitehaven | A  | LEL Arena | L  | 12–37  | Baldwinson, K. Dixon  | K. Dixon (2)  | 601  |  | [18]
4 July  | 12  |  Newcastle Thunder | H  | York Community Stadium | L  | 26–28  | Atkins, Clarkson, Scott, Whiteley  | K. Dixon (5)  |  |  | [19]
11 July  | 13  |  London Broncos | A  | Trailfinders Sports Ground | L  | 22–50  | Whiteley, K. Dixon, Jubb, Atkins  | K. Dixon (3)  |  |  | [20]
25 July  | 14  |  Swinton Lions | H  | York Community Stadium | W  | 46–10  | Clarkson, R. Dixon, K. Dixon (2), Kirmond, Marsh (2), Dow-Nikau  | K. Dixon (7)  |  |  | [21]
1 August  | 15  |  Sheffield Eagles | A  | Keepmoat Stadium | –  | P–P  | Match postponed and not rearranged  |  | [22]
8 August  | 16  |  Widnes Vikings | H  | York Community Stadium | W  | 34–20  | O'Hagan (2), Whiteley, Dow-Nikau (2), Teanby  | Marsh (5)  |  |  | [23]
14 August  | 17  |  Featherstone Rovers | A  | Millennium Stadium | L  | 14–44  | Jones-Bishop (2), Marsh  | Johnson  |  |  | [24]
22 August  | 18  |  Whitehaven | H  | York Community Stadium | W  | 30–12  | Teanby, Jones-Bishop, Stock, Whiteley, Scott  | Marsh (5)  |  |  | [25][26]
29 August  | 19  |  Bradford Bulls | H  | York Community Stadium | L  | 18–36  | Atkins, Green, Kirmond  | K. Dixon (3)  |  |  | [27]
3 September  | 20  |  Newcastle Thunder | A  | Kingston Park | W  | 29–16  | Clarkson, Jones-Bishop, McGowan (2), Whiteley  | Harrison (4), Marsh (Drop goal)  |  |  | [28][29]
12 September  | 21  |  Toulouse Olympique | A  | Stade Ernest-Wallon | –  | P–P  | Match postponed and not rearranged  |  | [30]
19 September  | 22  |  London Broncos | H  | York Community Stadium | W  | 32–22  | Clarkson, Bass, Kirmond, Marsh, Dow-Nikau, Washbrook  | Harrison (3)  |  |  | [31][32]

### Challenge Cup / 1895 Cup

[edit]

Main articles: 2021 Challenge Cup and 2021 RFL 1895 Cup

In the 2021 season, the Challenge Cup and RFL 1895 Cup used a format where the four sides which progressed from the second round of the Challenge Cup qualified for the 1895 Cup semi-finals.[33]

W Win L Loss

Challenge Cup / 1895 Cup results  Date and Time | Round | Versus | H/A | Venue* | Result | Score | Tries | Goals | Attendance | TV | Report

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Challenge Cup | 1895 Cup
19 March, 7:45pm  | Round 1  |  Sheffield Eagles | A  | Keepmoat Stadium | W  | 30–6  | Whiteley (2), Brining, Jones-Bishop, Atkins  | K. Dixon (5)  | Behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic | The Sportsman | [34]
28 March, 2:30pm  | Round 2  |  London Broncos | A  | The Rock  | W  | 14–2  | Porter, Salter  | K. Dixon (3)  | BBC Red Button | [35]
9 April, 7:45pm  | Round 3  | —  |  Wigan Warriors | H  | York Community Stadium | L  | 0–26  |  |  | The Sportsman | [36]
7 June  | —  | Semi-final  |  Swinton Lions | H  | York Community Stadium | W  | 36–22  | Salter, Stock, Atkins, Brining, Kirmond, Lewis  | K. Dixon (6)  |  | The Sportsman | [37]
17 July  | —  | Final  |  Featherstone Rovers | N  | Wembley Stadium | L  | 34–41  | Jones-Bishop, Stock, Brining, Bass, Lewis, Whiteley  | K. Dixon (5)  |  | BBC Red Button | [38]

## Players

[edit]

### Squad

[edit]

York City Knights 2021 Squad  First team squad  |  | Coaching staff

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* 1  Matty Marsh – FB, SH, SO

* 2  Jason Bass – WG

* 3  Liam Salter – CE

* 4  Ryan Atkins – CE, WG

* 5  Kieran Dixon – WG, FB

* 6  Brendan O'Hagan – SO, FB, WG

* 7  Morgan Smith – SH

* 8  Ronan Dixon – PR

* 9  Will Jubb – HK

* 10  Jack Teanby – PR

* 11  Chris Clarkson (c) – SR

* 12  Sam Scott – SR

* 13  Adam Cuthbertson – LF, PR

|  |

* 14  Kriss Brining – HK

* 15  Jordan Baldwinson – PR

* 16  Marcus Stock – SR

* 17  Danny Kirmond – SR, LF

* 18  "Our Fans"

* 19  James Green – SR

* 20  Tim Spears (vc) – SR, PR

* 21  Joe Porter – PR

* 22  Perry Whiteley – WG, CE

* 23  Ben Jones-Bishop – FB, WG

* 24  Daniel Barcoe – LF, SR

* 25  AJ Towse – CE, WG, FB

* 26  Myles Harrison – HB

|  |

* 27  Toby Warren – PR

* 28  Danny Washbrook – LF, SO

* 29  Riley Dean – HB

* 30  Tyme Dow-Nikau – PR

* Harry Dodd – CE

|  |  |  |

Head coach

* James Ford

Assistant coach

* Chris Spurr

* * *

Legend:

* (c) Captain(s)
* (vc) Vice-captain(s)

* * *

Updated: 20 November 2020
Source(s): 2021 Squad Numbers

### 2021 transfers

[edit]

Gains

List of players joining York Player  | Club  | Contract  | Date

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|
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Ryan Atkins | Wakefield Trinity | 1 Year | September 2020[39]
Daniel Barcoe | Wakefield Trinity | 1 Year | September 2020[40]
Adam Cuthbertson | Leeds Rhinos | 1 Year | September 2020[41]
Kieran Dixon | London Broncos | 1 Year | November 2020[42]
Harry Dodd | Wakefield Trinity | 1 Year | September 2020[40]
Danny Kirmond | Wakefield Trinity | 1 Year | September 2020[43]
Tyme Nikau | North Wales Crusaders | 1 Year | September 2020[44]
Brendan O'Hagan | Wests Tigers | 1 Year | October 2020[45]
Morgan Smith | London Broncos | 1 Year | September 2020[46]
Ben Jones-Bishop | Wakefield Trinity | 1 Year | January 2021[47]
Riley Dean | Warrington Wolves | Season Loan | February 2021[48]

Losses

List of players leaving York Player  | Club  | Contract  | Date

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Brad Hey | Hunslet RLFC | 1 Year | September 2020[49]
Ben Johnston | Doncaster RLFC | 2 Years | September 2020[50]
Josh Jordan-Roberts | Rochdale Hornets | 2 Years | August 2020[51]
Connor Robinson | Halifax Panthers | 2 Years | September 2020[52]
Elliot Wallis | Hull KR Loan Expiry / Bradford Bulls | 1 Year | November 2020[53]
Will Sharp | Released |  | [54]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "York City Knights chairman Jon Flatman 'like a kid at Christmas' as LNER Community Stadium opens to fans". York Press. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
2. ^ "James Ford rues what might have been in 2021 after win over London Broncos". York Press. 19 September 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
3. ^ a b "York City Knights Run Riot Against Oldham as First Fans Enter LNER Community Stadium". York Vision. 26 May 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
4. ^ "Betfred Championship and League 1 Awards' winners announced". RFL. 29 September 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
5. ^ "Toulouse home fixtures against Halifax and Batley cancelled". RFL. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
6. ^ "Operational Rules Tribunal – Featherstone Rovers". RFL. 3 August 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
7. ^ "Operational Rules Tribunal – London Broncos". RFL. 21 July 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
8. ^ "York City Knights' Championship season starts with 21-6 defeat to Toulouse". York Press. 3 April 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
9. ^ "York City Knights fall to 20-14 defeat to Sheffield Eagles". York Press. 18 April 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
10. ^ "York City Knights fall to 20-14 defeat to Sheffield Eagles". York Press. 18 April 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
11. ^ "Match Report: Dewsbury Rams v York City Knights". Total Rugby League. 2 May 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
12. ^ "Match Report: York City Knights v Featherstone Rovers". Total Rugby League. 9 May 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
13. ^ "Widnes Vikings fade in second half against York City Knights". Runcorn and Widnes World. 16 May 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
14. ^ "York 34 6 Oldham". RFL. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
15. ^ "Ill-discipline costly as York City Knights lose 37-18 at Bradford Bulls". York Press. 30 May 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
16. ^ "York City Knights convincingly beaten 30-6 at Halifax Panthers". York Press. 13 June 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
17. ^ "York City Knights beaten 22-20 in dramatic finale against Batley Bulldogs". York Press. 20 June 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
18. ^ "REPORT: Whitehaven 37 York City Knights 12". York Press. 27 June 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
19. ^ "Newcastle Thunder hold off York City Knights fightback to prevail 28-26". York Press. 4 July 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
20. ^ "York City Knights' wait for a win goes on after 50-22 defeat at London Broncos". York Press. 11 July 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
21. ^ "Match Report – York City Knights 46 Swinton Lions 10". Swinton Lions. 26 July 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
22. ^ "Betfred Championship Update – August 6". RFL. 6 August 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
23. ^ "Match report: York City Knights 34-20 Widnes Vikings". Widnes Vikings. 8 August 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
24. ^ "Betfred Championship: Featherstone Rovers win at an injury cost, Batley Bulldogs roar at Lions and Dewsbury Rams edge thriller". Yorkshire Evening Post. 15 August 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
25. ^ "Betfred Championship Round-Up". RFL. 22 August 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
26. ^ "Knights win on Atkins' 400th appearance: Sunday 22nd August - Betfred Championship". York City Knights. 22 August 2021. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021.
27. ^ "REPORT: Bradford Bulls confirm end-of-season play-off spot". Telegraph and Argus. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
28. ^ "Newcastle Thunder 16 29 York". RFL. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
29. ^ "Knights defeat Newcastle on a magic night for Harrison and Warren: Friday 3rd September - Betfred Championship". York City Knights. 3 September 2021. Archived from the original on 18 September 2021.
30. ^ "Toulouse confirmed as winners of Betfred Championship League Leaders' Shield". RFL. 7 September 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
31. ^ "York 32 22 London Broncos". RFL. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
32. ^ "Knights sign off 2021 with victory over London: Sunday 19th September - Betfred Championship". York City Knights. 19 September 2021. Archived from the original on 18 October 2021.
33. ^ "Championship, L1 and Cups structure confirmed". Serious About Rugby League. 23 December 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
34. ^ "York City Knights progress in Challenge Cup after 30-6 win at Sheffield Eagles". York Press.
35. ^ "York City Knights seal tight Challenge Cup win at London Broncos". York Press.
36. ^ "Wigan shut out York in Challenge Cup win". BBC Sport.
37. ^ "York City Knights v Swinton Lions - Rugby League".
38. ^ "Featherstone beat York to win 1895 Cup". 17 July 2021.
39. ^ "Ryan Atkins set for York switch in 2021". RFL. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
40. ^ a b "York bring in duo from Wakefield". Love Rugby League. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
41. ^ "York land Adam Cuthbertson coup". Love Rugby League. 27 September 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
42. ^ "Kieran Dixon joins York City Knights". RFL. 17 November 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
43. ^ "Danny Kirmond to join York for 2021". Love Rugby League. 3 September 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
44. ^ "Tyme Nikau follows in the footsteps of his father with York move". Love Rugby League. 12 September 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
45. ^ "York add Australian half-back for 2021". Love Rugby League. 8 October 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
46. ^ "York sign Morgan Smith from London Broncos". Love Rugby League. 6 September 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
47. ^ "York City Knights sign Ben Jones-Bishop". RFL. 26 January 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
48. ^ "Riley Dean joins York City Knights on loan". RFL. 25 February 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
49. ^ "Centre Brad Hey leaves York City Knights to join Hunslet". York Press. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
50. ^ "Doncaster sign Ben Johnston from York". Love Rugby League. 17 September 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
51. ^ "Josh Jordan-Roberts joins Rochdale". Love Rugby League. 13 August 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
52. ^ "Halifax sign Connor Robinson from York". Love Rugby League. 7 September 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
53. ^ "Bradford Bulls sign Hull KR winger Wallis on season loan". Telegraph & Argus. 11 November 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
54. ^ "Every Championship squad number and recruitment round-up". Serious About Rugby League. 30 March 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2024.

* v
* t
* e

York RLFC

York Knights (Men) — York Valkyrie (Women)

Knights|

* Coaches
* Players
* Seasons
* 2021
* 2022

Valkyrie|

* Players

Grounds*|

* Huntington Stadium (2003–2014)†
* Elmpark Way (2015)†
* Bootham Crescent (2016–2020)†
* YSJ University Sports Park (2017–2020)‡
* York Community Stadium (2021–)

*Key: † = Knights, ‡ = Valkyrie, unmarked = Knights and Valkyrie

* v
* t
* e

2021 in rugby league

« 2020

2022 »

International Rugby League|

| Competitions|

* European Championship B
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Related articles|

* International rugby league in 2021
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|

Teams|

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Other|

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Related articles|

* Man of Steel Awards
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Australian Rugby League
Commission|

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*[Pos]: Position
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[Pld]: Played
*[W]: Won
*[D]: Drawn
*[L]: Lost
*[PF]: Points for
*[PA]: Points against
*[PP]: Point percentage
*[Pts]: Points
*[PCT]: Win percentage