Michael Knowles hoping to finish his career at Dewsbury Rams

The 33-year-old joined Dewsbury in 2017 and has established himself as one of Lee Greenwood’s key men during his time at the Tetley’s Stadium.

The forward has the ability to play in a number of positions and has made over 250 career appearances.

Knowles was one of six players to agree new terms at Dewsbury last week with Joe Martin, Andy Gabriel, James Thornton, Adam Ryder and Sam Day also agreeing to remain at the Rams in 2021.

After a promising start to the 2020 season, Knowles feels Dewsbury should be looking to finish in the top half of the table next year.

“I love being at the Rams, I have enjoyed playing my rugby again here and it is a great set up,” he said.

“I am looking to get another couple of seasons here and hopefully finish my career with Dewsbury.

“I want to kick on next year with where I left off this year, I was enjoying the game and playing well. I just want to play my part the best I can for the team.

“I can’t wait to get the boots back on and smell the grass again, we as a team need to look at how we started this year and start to believe we can mix it with the big spenders. Top half of the table should be at least our aim next year.”

Ryder echoed Knowles’s sentiments, as he agreed to remain with the Rams after head coach Lee Greenwood informed him most of the 2020 squad would be staying put next campaign.

“We put a lot of hard work into pre-season for the 2020 season and I believed we were building a good squad and environment to play and train in,” said Ryder.

“When Greeny [Lee Greenwood] told me we were keeping the majority of that squad it made my mind up for me.

“Hopefully we can build from the beginning of the 2020 season and improve more as a squad and club. I believe we were building something special as a squad at Dewsbury and I was enjoying turning up to training and match day again.

“I hope we can keep that atmosphere up for the 2021 season and build on it.”

This week, Dewsbury have confirmed the retention of three more players.

Rhys Davies, Jon Magrin and Matt Fleming have all penned new terms as Lee Greenwood looks set to keep the majority of his squad together from the curtailed 2020 campaign.

Of retaining Jamaica international Magrin, Greenwood said: “I am really pleased that Jon is staying with us. Some players just need to find the right club or environment for them and I feel he has found that here.

“He is an important player for Dewsbury and Jamaica and its an exciting 2021 for him for sure.”