The 25-year-old back-rower issued a statement through the Knights, urging the club's legions of fans to continue to support the club during their current crisis.

Houston will face Newcastle Local Court on April 13 to face three counts of supplying ecstasy and one count of supplying cocaine after detectives issued his legal representative, barrister Peter Harper, with a court attendance notice on Monday.

"I wish to announce that I am voluntarily terminating my playing contract. I have always had and will continue to have high regard for the Knights club, its supporters and its sponsors," Houston said.

"The Knights have a strict code of conduct which I have always supported. The club has taken enough hits because of these charges. Therefore, I feel obligated to disassociate myself from the club until my matter is resolved.

"I hope by resigning and leaving the Knights that these problems will now leave the club and go with me so that my teammates will now be able to focus completely on the 2010 season without distraction, and that the club will remain strong and united.

"I sincerely hope that all sponsors and supporters remain faithful to this great club and region."

Knights chief executive Steve Burraston said earlier yesterday that the club accepted Houston's resignation.

"I've indicated to Chris that we will accept it," Burraston said.

"We understand that he's got a huge battle to fight now, and his mind just couldn't be around football at that period of time.

"We're confident ourself that we've got the right policies and procedures going forward, that we do have a very strong anti-drug culture in our organisation, and whilst these events have hurt us - there's no question about that - we're confident we'll deal with each of these issues as they come up.

"I think the period of time we're entering into, and court cases are only a few weeks to go, that we're probably getting to some finality to this matter."