Knights recruit Goddard

York City Knights have announced the signing of former Hull KR and Halifax centre Jon Goddard at their presentation evening last night. The 30 year old joins the Knights having spent the 2012 season out of the game but is keen to re-capture the form that made him one of the top centres in the Championship. Goddard has been working as a personnel trainer recently and has stated that he is “in the best shape of his life”, and Knights Head Coach Gary Thornton was keen to bring him to the club saying,

“It’s a real coup for us to have signed Jon Goddard. He has always been one of the best centres outside Super League, and the fact he has played for some very good sides proves that. I’ve always admired him as a player and am delighted to have finally landed him, having failed several times during my time at Batley. He’s had a season out after a rib injury at Halifax curtailed his time there, and is now chomping at the bit to get back. He’s kept himself really fit and is in great shape, and the short break away from the game has done him good. He has tons of quality and experience at this level, and is a great pro. I have been searching for some experience as we have a very young squad, and he is the right man for the job. He will benefit the team immensely both on and off the field”.

“He’s got all the niggling injuries out of the way and he’s coming back to play rugby for the right reasons, with a real appetite for the game once more. I’m delighted to have him on board. We beat off some competition from other Championship clubs for his signature too, which shows the clubs commitment to building a quality squad for next season, and I’d like to  thank John (Guildford) and Ian (Wilson) for their help in completing this signature. This is the next piece in our jigsaw as we continue to build for next year”.

Goddard starred for Hull KR in their 2006 promotion winning season and stayed with the club for their inaugural Superleague campaign in 2007 before moving to Halifax, and he is delighted to be back in the Championship saying,

“After not playing for the last year I am really looking forward to getting my boots back on. I’ve come up against Gary Thornton’s teams many times over the years and it is clear that he knows how to get the best out of his players. York are putting a really strong squad together for next season and I am confident that I will be part of a group of talented players with a coach that really believes in them”.

Remember you can help with recruitment for 2013 by purchasing your season ticket or vice president package as soon as possible, and/or by making a donation to the squad builder fund. This can be done by sending a cheque, made payable to YCK Squad Builder Fund, to the club office or using account details 77 71 32 (Sort Code), 16121468 (Account Number).