Rugby club close to collapse

RUGBY league club the York City Knights are close to collapse.

In a statement made on 21 July, they said it was with “sincere regret” and “deep sadness” that the club would be closing as a business “once all legal formalities and obligations” had been fulfilled.

The club’s game on Sunday against Doncaster was postponed by the Rugby Football League.

The club claimed that the “challenging times” following its eviction from Huntington Stadium in 2014 had plagued the League One side.

It said its financial situation showed no signs of improving following the loss of revenue streams and the cost of playing at temporary site Bootham Crescent.

It blamed the contracts in place with the City of York Council, which “have neither been adhered to by third parties or enforced by the CYC.”

However in a joint statement on Friday the club made a U-turn saying: “City of York Council, the RFL (Rugby Football League) and York City Football Club firmly believe there is a future for professional rugby league in York.”

The council said that despite the disagreement with the club, plans for the £37m Community Stadium, which it announced would be delayed over contract signings back in July.

The council was given an ultimatum over the stadium, having to pay up another £7.2m or go back to the drawing board for the leisure site which would see the Knights continue to share space with York City FC.

York City Knights’ owners JM Packaging are reportedly looking at three offers for the club, including from an unnamed former rugby league professional, according to the York Press.

JMP told the publication on Sunday: “There is an intention to liaise with the RFL during the coming week to hopefully resolve current difficulties and provide a pathway for sport in York.”

Knights head coach James Ford told BBC Radio York that fixtures this season will still go ahead.

 

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