York Knights have announced that a new, locally‑based ownership consortium has agreed to acquire a controlling interest in the club. The consortium is led by York entrepreneur David Dickson, who will be joined by members of his family in the venture. The transfer of ownership for both the men’s side, York Knights, and the women’s side, York Valkyrie, is currently moving through the necessary procedural steps and awaits formal ratification by the Rugby Football League (RFL). The timing of this change comes on the back of a historic period for the club.
At the close of last season, York Knights secured promotion to the Super League for the first time in their history, finishing the campaign in 12th place in the Championship and earning a place in the top tier for the 2026 season. Meanwhile, York Valkyrie have cemented their reputation as a powerhouse in the women’s game, capturing back‑to‑back Betfred Women’s Super League titles in 2023 and 2024 and currently occupying the third spot on this year’s league table.
Their sustained success has helped raise the profile of rugby league in the city and has created a solid platform for future growth. In conjunction with the ownership shift, there have been notable changes to the club’s senior leadership. Clint Goodchild has stepped down from his dual role as chairman and chief executive officer.
The club’s long‑standing general manager, Neil Gulliver, will assume the chief executive position, bringing continuity and an intimate knowledge of the organization’s day‑to‑day operations. Richard Larking will remain on the board of directors, providing further stability during the transition. A statement released by York RLFC expressed deep gratitude to Goodchild for his contributions.
"The club would like to put on record our appreciation and thanks to Clint Goodchild for his time as custodian of the club," the statement read. "His vision, ambition and drive saw the club progress during his tenure at an incredible pace." The club highlighted the dramatic transformation that has taken place under Goodchild’s stewardship, noting the re‑branding effort, the unprecedented on‑field achievements, and the heightened community engagement that have all combined to elevate York’s rugby league profile. The statement continued: "Following a successful re‑brand of the club, unprecedented on‑field success followed with York Valkyrie securing back‑to‑back Betfred Women’s Super League titles and York Knights not only winning the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup at Wembley, but also gaining promotion to the Betfred Super League in 2026 for the very first time in their history. The rapid growth and recent successes of the club have brought immense pride to the city, with the incoming ownership group being fully committed to enhancing the club's future, building on these strong foundations, and unlocking York Knights' true potential." The new owners have pledged to outline a strategic roadmap in the coming weeks, outlining both short‑term objectives for the climax of the 2026 season and longer‑term ambitions as preparations for the 2027 campaign begin.
Their stated aim is to capitalise on the momentum generated by recent triumphs, deepen community ties, and invest in facilities, youth development, and commercial partnerships that will sustain the club’s competitive edge. Goodchild offered a heartfelt farewell, saying, "I brought ambition.
I leave with enough friendships and memories to last a lifetime. On arrival I knew York was a proud rugby league city, but I didn't know then how much this place, this club and its people would come to mean to me. To the players who sacrifice their bodies, the coaches who demand more, the staff who care far beyond their job descriptions, the volunteers who give their time, the sponsors and partners who believe, and the supporters who keep turning up – thank you for believing. Together we made history.
The club is in safe hands and has a very bright future. The club is lucky to have such a wonderful Yorkshire family involved and I am excited for this next York RLFC chapter." Beyond the administrative and sporting narrative, the announcement also touched on broadcasting arrangements that will affect fans.
Sky Sports has secured the rights to broadcast every Super League match live this season, with two fixtures each round being shown exclusively on the main channel and the remaining five matches available via Sky Sports+. This increased exposure is expected to broaden the club’s fan base beyond the local community and attract new sponsors.
In summary, York Knights and York Valkyrie are entering a new era under the stewardship of a family‑run, locally rooted ownership group led by David Dickson. The transition follows a period of unprecedented success for both the men’s and women’s teams, and the leadership changes aim to preserve that upward trajectory.
With a clear strategic vision on the horizon, the clubs are poised to consolidate their Super League status, continue delivering titles for the Valkyrie, and further embed rugby league into the cultural fabric of York. The forthcoming weeks will reveal detailed plans for infrastructure upgrades, community outreach programs, and commercial growth initiatives designed to ensure that the clubs not only compete at the highest level but also thrive as integral parts of the city’s identity.