Hear from York Acorn’s head coach Antony Chilton, as his side eagerly anticipate their Betfred Challenge Cup tie against Hull FC on Saturday!
York Acorn are one of three community clubs set to face Betfred Super League opposition in the Betfred Challenge Cup this weekend, and their new head coach Antony Chilton is relishing the challenge.
Acorn were promoted to the NCL Premier Division back in 2019, and achieved their best placed finish in 2024 – securing a place in the league’s Play-Offs in the process.
They have consistently reached the Third Round of the Challenge Cup in recent years, and now, along with West Hull and SCL’s Wests Warriors, have an exciting opportunity to play against a top tier side and make history.
Acorn were also the most successful community club in the 2024 cup competition and had to win four matches to earn a Fifth Round tie at Halifax last year. It was the first time the club had appeared at that stage of the competition in their 51-year history.
And so far, Chilton has made an excellent start to his tenure as Acorn boss, who took the reins from Josh Mortimer ahead of the 2025 Rugby League season.
His side came away with two strong victories against GB Police and Oulton Raiders in the First and Second Rounds, as Chilton commented:
“I thought we were really professional against GB Police.”
“We kept doing our job and did everything we worked on in training. Then, against Oulton, I don’t know if we got a bit too confident, but we didn’t play to our game plan, and it cost us in first half.
“But we soon screwed our heads on in the second half and got the result we needed.”
As Acorn progress into the Third Round, Hull FC, who were back-to-back Challenge Cup winners in 2016 and 2017, await them on Saturday, with the game set to be played on neutral territory at Featherstone Rovers’ Millenium Stadium.
And although Chilton was initially disappointed his club couldn’t host their game on home soil at Thanet Road, he is looking forward to the occasion, as is everyone involved with the Acorn…
“Playing it at Fev will be good,” Chilton acknowledged, as his side prepare for their biggest game in history.
“I’m in a few WhatsApp groups and each one I’m in, it’s the only thing getting mentioned – our game at the weekend.
“People are talking about it all over social media, which is great. It’s going to be a big day for our city. We're going to enjoy it.
“Our players have been looking at who their opposite numbers could be. We’ve got a lot of young players in our squad so if they really want to propel themselves in the game, then they’ve got a really good platform to show it on this weekend.”
Dreams can become a reality in the Challenge Cup competition, and where the new format is concerned, Chilton is all in - and recognises the buzz, excitement and exposure, as well as that important income it can create and generate for community clubs:
“For us, it’s massive. Not being able to host wasn’t ideal, but that aside, to get Hull or any Super League team at this stage during the season is great. It's the magic of the cup.
"Everyone's excited and it'll help our club out massively.
“Hull have only had one pre-season friendly this year, so they’re going to be treating our game as a a friendly before Super League starts next week.
“They’ll be needing to work their combinations out and how they play – I imagine they’re going to show us a strong team which is brilliant for our lads.”
Hull FC have indeed named a strong outfit blended with youth and experience for this highly anticipated cup clash, where senior players John Asiata, Cade Cust, Oliver Holmes and Hugo Salabio could all make their competitive debuts for the Black & Whites.
Harvey Barron, Yusuf Aydin, Jack Ashworth and Brad Fash are also a handful of notable FC names that the Acorn players could face - a team that will be led by their captain Matt Chilton on the day and a team that will be hoping they can compete for a lengthy period of time.
And coach Antony Chilton is a huge fan of the cup competition and the valuable game time it can offer:
“As long as I’ve played at the Acorn, the Challenge Cup has been great. It’s going to be a great occasion.
“It can be difficult to arrange pre-season friendlies ahead of our league season, whereas the cup sort of does that for you now.
“So, if we can get a few wins together in the cup, it means we’re able to build momentum and have some game time before our league starts.”
Chilton, who transitioned from player to head coach at the back end of 2024, has been with York Acorn since he was just six years old, and outlined what the 2025 season looks like for his side:
“I’ve been at the club since I was six and I’m 32 now, so that’s 26 years,” Chilton explained, who is Acorn through and through.
“I tried retiring last year but Josh [Mortimer] said I couldn’t just yet!
“It’s been going really well. A new coach and new coaching staff always gives everyone a slight buzz. We’ve got a few new players as well, which is good.
“Cup aside, we’ve set some targets for the league. We always set out to win our home games and do what we can away. Our main targets are the play-offs and to showcase ourselves a bit better.
“For me, it’s a transition. I’ve played open age rugby league for 17/18 years and this is the first year where I won’t be fully playing. I might play a few games later on this year if we’re short in any positions, but I’ve got my coaching role to focus on now.”
It's high spirits for Acorn all round, and it’s also a huge congratulations to player-coach Chilton, who has his own wedding to look forward to in May.
But he’s under strict instructions and definitely won't be taking to the field until then - under any circumstances...
“I can’t play until May at least – if I get injured, I’ll be without a partner!" laughed Chilton. "But we'll see what happens and if I'm needed..."
Will you be there to cheer on Chilton's York Acorn in their historic Challenge Cup tie?
York Acorn will take on Hull FC in Round Three of the Betfred Challenge Cup on Saturday 8 February at The Millenium Stadium, K.O. 2pm.
Saturday 7 June is Betfred Challenge Cup Finals Day 2025 – also including the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final, AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final, and RFL Champion Schools Year 7 Boys Final. Tickets are on sale now!
