“I can’t wait to lace the boots up and run out in the Knights jersey!”
These are the words of half-back Morgan Smith, the Knights second new recruit ahead of the 2021 campaign. Signing from fellow Betfred Championship club London Broncos, the Warrington academy graduate admits he is keen to get back in the team environment after such a long enforced absent and is excited to do so at a York City Knights player.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been around the rugby environment,” he reasoned, “so I’m itching to get going and get amongst it with the rest of the squad.”
Of the pull of signing for the club, Smith stated that “I know the club is on the up with plenty of ambition and I’ve seen the progress the Knights have made over the last couple of years with a coach who I believe can help me improve and progress personally.”
22-year-old Smith is no stranger to the Knights given his father, back-rower John, played for the Knights in the club’s early years. “I would have only been around six at the time so there isn’t a specific game I remember but I do remember watching plenty at Huntington Stadium,” he explained. “I also remember the passionate fans making plenty of noise and joining in with a few of the chants myself!”
While he has memories of the Knights’ old home prior to our spell at Bootham Crescent, Smith will form part of the first Knights squad to take to the field at the new LNER Community Stadium, something he revealed he is excited about. “It looks unbelievable,” he said.
“The latest images I have seen blew me away and the facilities at the Knights are definitely up there with any top flight club.”
While Smith took to the field against the Knights in the London Broncos’ jersey back in March, our loyal fans may not have seen him play much beforehand. “I will give 100% every week,” he stated when asked what Knights fans can expect from him on the field. “I like to lead the team around the park and play expansive rugby with plenty of ball movement,” he added, perhaps giving an indication as to the style of play we can expect to see in 2021 from James Ford’s team.
Fresh following his signing, Smith became the latest player to outline the club’s aims for 2021. While he is keen to play the best rugby of his career with the Knights, he further noted that he wants to “do as much as I can to help the club push for promotion.”
Comments