MARK APPLEGARTH is “an impressive man” according to York Knights chairman Clint Goodchild.
Applegarth took over at the Knights midway through the 2024 Championship season.
And with a full pre-season under his belt, the former Wakefield coach led York to the League Leaders’ Shield, 1895 Cup success and the second-tier Grand Final, although his side fell to Toulouse in the showpiece event.
Applegarth’s stock as a coach is quickly rising following a baptism of fire in Super League with Wakefield, and he now gets a second chance in the top-flight to show what he is made of.
York earned promotion to Super League as one of the 14 teams in the newly-expanded competition through an independent panel.
And Goodchild has backed him to continue his rise, adding: “Mark is a very capable coach and he is only getting started in his career.
“He is improving each week. He challenges himself to get better and I think that’s why he has such a positive influence on the playing group, because they know how hard he is working to be a better coach.
“You can’t help but want to be better for someone like that. He is an impressive man.
“It came as no surprise to me that he had so much success last year and he has built the right to go out with confidence and lead this young team.”
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