York RLFC has been acquired by a locally based ownership group led by David Dickson and his family, marking a new chapter for the Super League club. The consortium’s purchase from former chairman Clint Goodchild is expected to bring significant investment both on and off the field.
Sara Dickson, David’s wife and a member of the York-based Shepherd family—one of Yorkshire’s wealthiest with an estimated net worth of £1.3 billion—forms part of the new ownership. Following the acquisition, general manager Neil Gulliver has been promoted to chief executive officer. Gulliver highlighted the club’s recent progress and expressed optimism that the new backing will accelerate the team’s development and broader community engagement.
“We can now allocate additional resources to improve sustainability and continue initiatives like our centre of excellence,” Gulliver said. He also pointed to plans to upgrade the club’s training facilities and expand youth and community outreach programs beyond York, including areas such as Selby and Scarborough. “The new owners are very supportive of the community side and appreciate its positive social impact,” he added.
York RLFC, known as the Knights, gained promotion to the Super League this year, returning to rugby league’s top tier for the first time since 1990. The club’s ascent has been remarkable: only eight years ago they competed in League 1, but following two promotions since 2018 and a Championship title last year, they now face the challenges of competing at the highest level.
Despite limited financial resources compared to rivals, York has managed to exceed expectations so far this season. The club has operated with one of the lowest salary cap spends and received only half the central distribution from the Rugby Football League (RFL) in 2026. Gulliver noted the difficulty of transitioning from part-time to full-time status amid these constraints but remains confident that full funding will be restored in 2027 if the club maintains its Super League status. This full allocation currently stands at £1.3 million.
“We are now fully in the Super League,” Gulliver said. “That means we’re at the table, competing legitimately, and our results reflect that with 14 points at this stage of the season.” He acknowledged the complexities of recruitment on a reduced budget but highlighted the club’s growing appeal and improving performance.
The structure of the Super League for the 2027 season has not yet been finalised, but the governing body IMG’s grading system appears set to maintain a 14-team format. Gulliver expressed confidence that York will retain its place, pointing to significant improvements across multiple grading criteria including attendance—up approximately threefold this year—and strong social media engagement.
“We’re focused on growth and moving forward, not on looking down,” Gulliver said. “The direction we’re headed is upward.” With new local investment and a targeted strategy, York RLFC aims to establish itself firmly in the top tier while expanding its reach within the wider community.