In a report published by the i Paper, it was confirmed that the Knights’ increasing financial worries had forced chairman Clint Goodchild to make a difficult decision.

Goodchild, who has been at the helm for York since January 2022, has reportedly approached the RFL to request their monthly funding of £50,000 early.

This was to help ease the financial pressures on the club, and to make sure the squad would be paid on time.

For York, they are playing in the Super League for the first time in the club’s history after being promoted from the Betfred Championship in 2025.

The Knights, Toulouse Olympique and Bradford Bulls were the three teams promoted to make up the expanded 14 team Super League, but due to the latter being the only one of those three to make it into the top 12 of the IMG rankings, York and Toulouse had to settle for less funding for their maiden campaign.

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Existing members voted to give York and Toulouse £650,000 of funding for 2026, mainly from their TV rights deal, whilst Bradford and the other 11 Super League clubs receive £1,300,000 each.

The report also states that the Knights had said that new investors had promised funds upon their application to join the Super League, but the money did not materialise, with the RFL aware of the situation.

Goodchild told the i Paper: “The request was made leading into the annual pitch renovation period when cash flow is traditionally tighter, and this season that challenge was compounded by the costs associated with hosting both French clubs in Super League leading into that four-week period where we cannot host home games.

“York entered 2026 fully aware that our first season in Super League would be demanding on and off the field.

“Since being accepted into Super League on October 17 we have made the transition to a full-time operation, increased investment across the rugby and commercial departments, and continued to grow the club at a pace that certainly tested the energy levels of our amazing staff.”

It has been a challenging first season in the Super League for York, winning just three of their 15 matches under head coach Mark Applegarth.

Whilst it has certainly been challenging at times for the Knights, Goodchild remains confident that there should be excitement for the future at the LNER Community Stadium.

“We are encouraged for what is to come leading into next season,” Goodchild added.

“We will be a year more experienced as a full-time Super League operation in 2027 as we anticipate receiving our equal share of central distribution and continue to see significant opportunities for the growth of the club.

“Overall, we remain positive and as always continue to tackle anything that comes our way with enthusiasm.

“As expected, this season has presented challenges, but with the support of the RFL and wider Rugby League community along with our incredible fans it has also reinforced our belief that York has an exciting future ahead in the Super League.”