Nick Wright previews this weekend's clash between York City Knights and Hull FC
Alex Reid looks at whether the once ever-present appearance of English clubs in the later stages of the Champions League is set to become a thing of the past
Craig Dobson looks at QPR's decision to sack Neil Warnock and replace him with Mark Hughes
James Tompkinson reviews an excellent pre-season victory for the York City Knights against Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos
Written by Boaz Jnr Luke Eli Eli
Often heralded as “The fastest sport on two legs” (and rightly so), English Lacrosse has had a significant surge in popularity, with a three hundred per cent rise in players in the past three years alone. This is mostly due to the university squads, where almost all players start out from and of which York University has pioneered at its inception way back in 1997.
After having almost three generations of players passing through our club, we like to think we’ve learnt a thing or two. Every season we are consistent front runners for the league title, having won it 2005/06 and coming second in 2006/07, when we lost by only one goal and hit the post twice in one of tightest matches I’ve yet to see. At Roses we are a dominating force, smashing aside Lancaster with an embarrassing 14-0 win last season, and we came third at Dublinfest, a high standard sports tournament encompassing many fast rising, yet unnoticed, university sports. Oh, and we are also currently still unbeaten on home soil for over three years!
What makes it even more impressive is that our squads are composed entirely of university starters. Each and every member of our squad started playing lacrosse this year. The determination of our training and dedication to achieve success is such that we take on squads with up to eight international players and still come out on top, such is the quality of York Lacrosse. Having English international Chris Armstrong coaching always helps though, as well as the input from Ireland’s most capped player, Richard Gilligan, the co-founder of York Uni Lacrosse Club.
This year marks a turn in the generation once again. We lost a good few of our starting line players this year, but fast rising stars such as Harry Collins and Richard Ramsbottom have quelled any rumours that we’re moving out of our prime. However, there are definite places for freshers who have the grit and determination to make the first team squad, especially in Goalkeeping. We currently have this position available to any sportsman with experience in a net, preferentially a cricket batsman or hockey keeper. But if you think you have the reactions and stoic nature to stand between our posts then step up to the plate. No previous lacrosse experience is expected. In fact, no previous lacrosse experience is ever expected in any facet of the team. If you have good hand eye co-ordination and good fitness you’d make a welcome addition to the team. We boast a first and second team with GUARANTEED matches and game time to all players, so you don’t have to sit on the bench in the fourth squad hoping for a fortunate turn of events to get on the pitch.
Socially, we are one of the most loyal and unified clubs on campus. We encompass both mens, womens and mixed squads with innumerable themed socials and the atypical sports tournament Dublinfest, which we religiously attend each and every year much like every other club on campus. What you don’t know is we all know each others’ names. We celebrate each and everyone’s birthdays. Put it this way, once you play with us, you become a part of us. We are York Lacrosse. We are everyone else’s problem.
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