BULLS' fixture at the York City Knights in July will not take place at their new ground as had been planned.

John Kear's men were set to be the Knights' first visitors to the Community Stadium on July 20 but the opening has been delayed.

It means the fixture will now take place at York City's Bootham Crescent, where Knights are currently playing their games.

The 8,000-seat stadium and leisure centre will not be ready until August 19 at the earliest, although City of York Council were not able to say whether the project has been delayed by weeks or by months, or explain the reasons for the hold-up.

Knights chairman Jon Flatman said: “These delays are deeply frustrating and of course completely out of our control.

“York City Knights are determined not to let this derail any of the progress we have made as a club.

“We will continue to concentrate our efforts on the things we can control - becoming a top end Championship club, developing player pathways for both boys and girls in the city, and supporting the excellent work in the community done by the Knights Foundation - including the Knights Ladies and Learning Disability Super League teams.

“We would like to apologise to all of our fans and partners for this regrettable situation. This will not stop the positive momentum we have, I know everyone involved will continue to drive this club forwards and upwards.”

York City will not be able to start their 2019/20 football season at the new venue either.