FOR the record, new Ivanhoes recruit Sam Lynch is from England - not Ireland.

The 22-year-old, however, understands the confusion because his thick accent isn't the easiest for Australians to decipher.

"Everybody thinks I'm Irish when I talk to them," Lynch laughed.

"So I've always got to tell people 'No, I'm from England'. I think they believe me."

Geography issues aside, Ivanhoes wouldn't care if Lynch was from Antarctica if he turned out to be a good footy player.

Lynch, who is the younger brother of Ivanhoes' 2012 Gold Medal finalist Tom Lynch, progressed through the development system of English Super League club Castleford.

The fullback/winger played in the club's reserve grade side before joining semi-professional outfit York City in 2011.

Fresh from a gap year, Lynch wanted to start playing football again and was enticed to Cairns by his brother, who returned to England earlier this month.

"He (Tom) said Cairns was a really nice place and really hot," Lynch said.

"He told me there were lots of things to do around here and that the Ivanhoes lads were a good bunch of lads.

"I've been around and met the coach and met all the boys and everyone is really nice."

Unsurprisingly, one of Lynch's biggest challenges since landing in the Far North has been adjusting to the heat and humidity.

"When I left England it was snowing. The temperature was in the minuses and I was wearing long coats," Lynch said.

"I got out here and it was so humid. I'm getting used to it now and I'm starting to get a bit of a tan on my arms from all the driving."

Also joining the Knights from England this season is Mark Ballard. The halfback/hooker was the British Amateur Rugby League under-19 captain in 2010 and is also returning to rugby league after taking 2012 off.

Northern Pride recruit Tom Hancock, who is an Ivanhoes junior, with also turn out for the Knights when not required in the Intrust Super Cup.

It's shaping as a big year for Ivanhoes, who are also preparing to celebrate the club's 90th anniversary.

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