In the latest 'Championship Chats', York's head coach Mark Applegarth discusses his return to coaching, the Knights' sensational season, and previews his return to Wakefield on Sunday...
York Knights have won ten out of thirteen matches since Mark Applegarth took over the side in early June and could be well on their way to making this year’s Betfred Championship Play-Offs.
It’s been a terrific turnaround for the North Yorkshire club, who were shock strugglers at the start of the year. But now heading into the business end of the season, they find themselves sitting pretty in fifth with just three matches left to play.
But a Play-Off place is by no means secure just yet, and come Sunday, they face arguably one of their toughest tests yet when they travel to face League Leaders Wakefield Trinity and Applegarth’s former club, live on The Sportsman.
After a tough year at Trinity in 2023, Mark Applegarth, also known as ‘Mash’, took some time away from the sport to focus on new ventures, as well as spend some precious time with his family.
Having enjoyed the much-needed time away, he is now enjoying his time being back involved in a sport he feels so passionately for:
“It’s great to be back into coaching,” Applegarth said. “I’ve really enjoyed being back into that day-to-day with the players and all the crack that comes with it.
“I missed it, but I was glad of the break if I’m honest. I got to spend some quality time with my baby daughter who’s just turned three.
“But I’m glad to be back into it and what a top set of lads they are at York.”
And when the chance came about to take the reigns at York Knights, Applegarth admitted it was no-brainer to accept the forthcoming challenge:
“I did turn down a couple of opportunities that didn’t feel right or I didn’t feel ready for. But when York came knocking it just felt right. I’ve got a bit of history with the club, and I spoke to a lot of people there that I trust in.
“Everyone couldn’t have welcomed me more – they’re all keen to learn and get better. It’s been fun.”
During his time out from the game, Applegarth was unable to stay away completely - understandable for a lifelong fan of Rugby League:
“I kept tabs but only from a distance. As any fans would, you keep a track of scores and watch a few games on the TV.
“As York is one of my old clubs, I always checked results and I checked in with Hendo [Andrew Henderson] from time to time, because as we all know, it’s never nice when things aren’t going your way.
“But it was never the details - I just checked in on the people I knew and how they were dealing with things personally.”
Now at the helm himself, Applegarth remains as dignified and humble as ever, refusing to take sole credit for York’s remarkable resurgence:
“The players are a vital part – if not the most important part of any team,” he insisted. “It’s them that go and do the battle every week.
“I think the biggest thing I’ve tried to implement every week is empowering the players and making sure that we’re all singing from the same hymn sheet.
“It’s also about making sure that everyone buys in and is working towards the same goal. I was very lucky that there were already a lot of Champion people here, and I think it was just a case of pointing everyone in the common direction and trying to unite them.”
A positive working environment is always enjoyable for anyone, and with the Knights on the rise, the York club has been an exciting place to be for the 39-year-old:
“It is a positive place to be and it’s great. But let me just say, it also was last year at Wakefield, even when the wins weren’t coming. I think we were around ten games without a win, but this wasn’t through the lack of effort within the playing group that I had then.
“It’s very similar here at York – there are always going to be certain years when you’ve got better chances than others. Overall, it’s been enjoyable for me, but I want the full focus to be on the playing group and ideally not myself.”
It’s hard to overlook Applegarth’s impact, however, with York having produced some incredibly magical moments under their new head coach’s tenure.
From emphatic, big-margin victories, to recording their first league win over Featherstone in 67 years, to becoming only the second team to overturn Toulouse in the south of France this season, York have vastly improved, with their side playing with sheer belief, determination and an attractive brand of Rugby League.
Even their tight losses against the likes of Bradford, Sheffield and Widnes have been valuable results in some respect - proving that York can push the top teams all the way.
And if any head coach was to instill a never-say-die attitude into their squad, Applegarth knows about all the importance of the togetherness of a team, and has vital experience from last year.
“I go week by week,” Applegarth said. “Sometimes you have to live in the moment – you have some really good wins and really poor lows and that’s just the nature of sport.
“It’s just really important to keep a level head. Plus, it could all be pointless if we don’t make the Play-Offs, because that is our ultimate aim this year.
“For me, the win in Toulouse was a nice one because after chatting to a few York fans over there you saw much it meant to them. I thought the lads showed some great spirit in that game.
“There’s been some tough losses too, which we’ve had to quickly learn from. Every week you can always take a few memories and a few valuable lessons.
“Looking at it objectively, there’s probably only Wakefield who are miles ahead, and for everyone else, it’s a pretty even playing field. I think that’s great for Rugby League fans, and we should have a league where anyone can turn anyone around.”
It’s no secret that York have a tricky run-in in the race for the Play-Offs, with both Wakefield and Sheffield left to play on the road, before they host Featherstone in the final round of the regular season.
But the Knights remain confident of achieving their Play-Off goal, and as Round 24 of the Championship approaches, all eyes will turn to the highly anticipated clash that will unfold at the DIY Kitchens Stadium on Sunday.
“It’s so simple it sounds boring, but it’s all about taking each game as it comes. We play League Leaders’ Wakefield this weekend, so that’ll be a good challenge for us,” Applegarth explained.
“We’ll be going in there as massive underdogs but it’s a game we’re relishing and one we’re looking forward to testing ourselves in.
“After we’ve played Wakefield, we’ll reassess and go again against Sheffield on the Friday, before our final game versus Featherstone.”
Although Wakefield have only endured one loss throughout their 2024 campaign and are unbeaten on home soil, there have been plenty of occasions where teams have come close and pushed the table toppers all the way, and Applegarth knows the hosts won’t be taking their opposition lightly:
“I don’t think they [Wakefield] will underestimate us. Daryl [Powell] is a very good and experienced head coach, and I think he’ll have his team very well prepared for it.
“They’ll want to start peaking as we come end of the year with the Play-Off run coming in.
“We’re under no illusions and we’ll be experiencing the best version of Wakefield. We’ve had a quick scan of them, and we’ll focus on ourselves, hit our own standards and know our own game.”
Sunday’s match will also see Applegarth return to his former club for the first time since his departure last season – a club he has nothing but the utmost respect for. And it's a fixture he is looking forward to, as he hopes York can go on to produce a top performance:
“Last year was really tough for a number of reasons,” Applegarth openly touched on. “But one thing I never questioned was the player’s hearts.
“What Matt [Ellis] is doing is brilliant for the club now is great and there’s such exciting times ahead for Wakefield.
“I live literally five minutes away from Belle Vue and I’ve still got a lot of friends there. It’s my hometown club and it’s great to see them doing well, but hopefully not as well when they’re playing the team that I’m involved with!
“It’ll be good to go and see the new stand and see the ground and everything again. There’s always that media speculation and hype that arises when someone goes back to an old club, isn’t there?
“But all I’ll be doing is sitting in the stands coaching the York team and that’s my main focus. Everyone else’s focus should be on the 17 versus 17 on the field and it should be a really good game!”
Tickets are still available for Wakefield v York's Round 24 clash. Fans can purchase tickets online from Wakefield Trinity's official club website. The full game will also be shown live on The Sportsman.
The full fixture list for the Betfred Championship can be found here.
A full Betfred Championship Round 24 Preview can be found here.
Photo Credit: Craig Hawkhead Photography and York RLFC
