York Knights have confirmed the departures of seven men following the conclusion of the 2025 Championship season.
York won the 1895 Cup and League Leaders’ Shield in the second tier this season but were just edged out by Toulouse Olympique in the Grand Final last week. Despite that loss, they are still one of the club’s expected to make the jump up to Super League for next season, with the Knights one of seven Championship clubs to apply.
Whatever division they find themselves in for next season, the club have bid farewell to seven men. One of those was already known about with Connor Bailey joining Hull FC for the 2026 season and beyond.
The back-rower has excelled with the Knights over the last couple of seasons, scoring 19 tries in 63 games and joins a Hull side which certainly looks to be on the up.
Jacob Gannon has spent just one season with York after joining from Leigh Leopards permanently ahead of this season, but his time at the club has come to an end after making 26 appearances.
Joe Brown is another who moves on. He’s spent four years with York after joining from Bradford Bulls ahead of the 2022 season. The versatile back has scored 56 tries in 110 games for the club.
Veteran forward and former Tonga international Ukuma Ta’ai will also be leaving the Knights. However, the 38-year-old has now retired from playing with the win over Batley Bulldogs on September 14 being his last game as a player.
Ta’ai started his career with New Zealand Warriors before spending eight seasons with Huddersfield Giants between 2013 and 2020. He spent time with Newcastle Thunder before joining the Knights and played 350 games over the course of his career.
Conor Fitzsimmons has spent three seasons with the Knights but this season was his last, with the player moving on, while former Hull KR duo James Farrar and Jack Potter have also left the club.
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