It looks like the end of the road for York City Knights following discussions with Rugby League officials.
Chairman John Guildford has confirmed his intentions to finally close a club ironically still in contention for promotion from League One having qualified for the end of season play-offs.
However, the RFL have now extended the transfer deadline in order to allow Knights players to find other clubs.
“It is with sincere regret we are to announce that York City Knights will be closing as a business once all legalities and obligations have been carried out, which will allow all the players and staff to become free agents,” read a statement published by The Press. “This is done with deep sadness but with the certainty we did everything in our power to last through the challenging times since our eviction from Huntington Stadium in 2014 and the difficult circumstances the club has experienced since.
“The board has no alternative and has been forced to make this very difficult decision.”
The blame for their fall from grace was being firmly directed towards York City FC and City of York Council’s community stadium project, with claims their actions had left the business unsustainable.
The Knights’ weekend clash scheduled for Bootham Crescent was called off after they were advised they couldn’t play there for fear of damaging the pitch ahead of three pre-season friendlies in eight days for the football club. Their rugby league counterparts had though already been allowed full access to City’s ground this season as part of the community stadium scheme.
“We hope that rugby league can stay alive in York and someone will come along and succeed where we could not,” the statement added. “We know the vast majority of our supporters and the people of York and beyond will be saddened by this news.
“We would like to thank you all for your support during the nearly 14 years we were part of the sport in York.”
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