The RFL can confirm that York City Knights will play in the Co-operative Championship next season.

The Knights finished the 2011 season in a relegation spot but were reprieved by the RFL Board of Directors’ decision to turn down an application from Crusaders to join the Championship in 2012.

Crusaders were yesterday given 14 days to submit an application to play in Co-operative Championship One next season, when they would participate in the second of two 10-team divisions.