York Knights have announced that a new, locally‑based ownership consortium has reached an agreement to acquire a majority stake in the club. The consortium is led by York entrepreneur David Dickson, who will join forces with his family to steer the future of both York Knights and the women’s side, York Valkyrie. The transfer of shares is currently moving through the necessary channels and awaits formal endorsement from the Rugby Football League before it can be completed. The timing of this change comes on the back of a historic season for the Knights.
After a successful campaign last year, the club clinched promotion to the Betfred Super League for the first time in its history, and it now sits in 12th place in the top‑flight table. The women’s team, York Valkyrie, has also been on a remarkable run, securing back‑to‑back Betfred Women’s Super League championships in 2023 and 2024 and currently occupying the third spot in this season’s standings. In conjunction with the ownership shift, there have been notable adjustments to the club’s executive structure. Long‑time chairman and chief executive officer Clint Goodchild has stepped down from his dual role.
Neil Gulliver, who has served as the club’s general manager, will assume the chief executive position. Meanwhile, board member Richard Larking will continue his involvement as a director, providing continuity during the transition.
A formal statement released by York RLFC expressed gratitude toward Goodgood for his contributions. "The club would like to put on record their appreciation and thanks to Clint Goodchild for his time as custodian of the club," the statement read. It went on to highlight Goodgood’s vision, ambition and the rapid progress made under his leadership, noting that the club’s recent re‑branding and on‑field triumphs have elevated its profile dramatically.
The statement also celebrated the achievements of both squads. After a successful re‑branding effort, York Valkyrie captured consecutive Betfred Women’s Super League titles, while York Knights not only lifted the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup at Wembley but also earned promotion to the Betfred Super League for the 2026 season – a milestone never before reached by the club.
"The rapid growth and recent successes of the club have brought immense pride to the city," the release continued. "The incoming ownership group is fully committed to building on these strong foundations and unlocking York Knights' true potential." Looking ahead, the new owners plan to outline a comprehensive strategic roadmap over the coming weeks. They intend to share their vision for the remainder of the 2026 campaign and lay out preparations for the 2027 season, aiming to sustain the momentum generated by recent victories and to further embed the club within the community. Goodgood, reflecting on his tenure, said, "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." The announcement also touched on broadcasting arrangements for the upcoming Super League season. Sky Sports will televise every match live, with two fixtures each round being shown exclusively on the main channel and the remaining five games available via Sky Sports+. This increased exposure is expected to boost the club’s profile and attract new supporters both locally and nationally. In summary, the transition to a locally‑anchored ownership group, led by David Dickson and his family, marks a new chapter for York Knights and York Valkyrie.
With executive changes, a clear strategic vision, and continued on‑field success, the clubs are poised to capitalize on their recent achievements and to further embed themselves as a source of pride for the city of York and the wider rugby league community.