After a spectacular season in the Rugby League Championship, York Knights are now preparing themselves for their biggest challenge yet – the possibility of a Super League position.
Clubs in the Super League have voted to expand the 12-club league to 14 from next year. The two new teams to be promoted to the top-flight will be announced soon, following a panel review of applications.
The Knights confirmed they were bidding for a Super League spot last month saying they were “proud to confirm that the club had submitted an application”.
The Knights are one of nine clubs that applied. Two current top-flight clubs, Hull FC and Huddersfield, are among them, with the rest of the applications coming from clubs that in the second-tier Championship.
Bradford, Toulouse and York are understood to be in pole position for the top-flight places that are up for grabs. Doncaster, London, Oldham and Widnes are the other applicants.
The Super League are now applying a grading system to the hopefuls. This includes a review of stadiums, fanbases and community. The same grading is already applied to the existing 12 teams in the top tier.
Once a grade has been established the league will undertake a financial review of the clubs, to assess whether they would be in a positive financial position if they were to be promoted.
Although the expansion includes two teams, the Salford Red Devils are widely expected to drop down into the Championship, given the club’s ongoing financial issues.
That would open a third Super League spot – giving the Knights an extra chance.
Fans told YorkMix that the Knights getting into the Super League would be a step change for sport in the city. One said: “It would be vital for the improvement of rugby league support in York.”
It will be a nervous wait. Fans also told us they are worried that the loss that the Knights experienced in the Championship Final to Toulouse could negatively impact their chances of grabbing a spot among the elite.
The announcement will take place at 10am on Friday (17 October), 24 hours after the Super League gradings and rankings are due to be announced.
