York Knights Change Hands: David Dickson-Led Group Takes Majority Share of Super League Club and York Valkyrie

York Knights have a new majority owner — or they will, once the paperwork clears.

A locally based investment group headed by York businessman David Dickson has reached a deal to take control of the rugby league club, with the takeover also covering Women's Super League side York Valkyrie. The agreement remains subject to formal approval from the Rugby Football League, the sport's governing body in England, before it can be completed (BBC Sport).

The change comes less than a year after York Knights earned promotion to Super League — the top tier of English rugby league — for the first time in their history. They currently sit 12th in the table, two points clear of Huddersfield and Bradford in the battle to avoid the drop.

Outgoing owner and chairman Clint Goodchild, who oversaw that historic promotion, reflected on his departure in a club statement. "I brought ambition," he said. "I leave with enough friendships and memories to last a lifetime" (York Knights).

When the deal is finalised, Neil Gulliver will step up to the role of chief executive, taking day-to-day charge of the club's operations (BBC Sport).

The new ownership group inherits not one but two competitive teams. The Knights are fighting to establish themselves in their debut Super League campaign, while the York Valkyrie — the women's side — sit third in the Women's Super League table, well in the mix at the top end.

For a club that was playing at a lower level this time last year, the speed of change is striking. A first season in Super League is demanding enough: fewer than half the teams make it through a year without at least one coaching reshuffle or ownership wobble. York now face the second half of that season under entirely new leadership, with a businessman who knows the city taking the reins.

The RFL's approval process typically involves financial and governance checks before a transfer of control is signed off, so a formal completion date has not been confirmed. Until then, Goodchild remains in his post.

What the Dickson group's priorities will be — squad investment, facilities, commercial growth — has not been detailed publicly. For now, the immediate concern is purely sporting: staying in Super League, and keeping the Valkyrie in touch with the top of the women's game.