Thursday 28 July 2016 20:52, UK
York City Knights are set to fulfil their remaining League 1 fixtures after club chairman John Guildford vowed to continue running the club until a new buyer can be found.
The Knights looked destined to fold earlier this month after the club failed in their two-year search to find a new home ground.
However Guildford, who is currently in talks with a potential buyer for the club, has confirmed that he will continue to run the club in the meantime.
York were originally scheduled to commence their Super 8s campaign at home to Doncaster on Sunday before the match was called off at the last minute.
However, the Knights are expected to fulfil their second game against Toulouse in France on Saturday.
"It has always been my priority to do what is best for rugby league in York," Guildford said.
"I want to end this period of uncertainty for the club whilst negotiations are ongoing by guaranteeing that I will ensure the club will fulfil all their remaining 2016 fixtures.
"We are in contact with both City of York Council and York City FC and hope they will assist us in arranging the fixtures, as published by the RFL, to be played in York.
"This is a proud club with a great heritage and a talented squad of players and I will do everything I can to ensure that they are given the opportunity to win League 1, starting this weekend in Toulouse."
York head coach James Ford is preparing to take a severely weakened team to France to face Toulouse after a number of key players withdrew from the squad after being unable to take time off work for the match.
"We're training tonight and then going down to Gatwick," said Ford. "It's incredibly difficult. I'm just focusing on the things I can control, which is the playing side."
"We'll have about eight players missing," he said. "Not all of them have been able to get the time off and a few others have personal reasons.
"It would have been difficult for me to go across again at short notice had it been in term time. The lads have their own financial concerns and the lack of clarity around the situation hasn't helped.
"I'm disappointed we're not at full strength but I understand the situation the blokes are in. We'll still give it our best shot."
