Rivals’ collapse underlines need for RL changes
ROCHDALE Hornets chairman Andy Mazey described Newcastle Thunder’s collapse as a ‘disaster for the sport’ following the club’s withdrawal from the 2024 League 1 season.
Thunder announced their decision to pull out of the 2024 campaign, saying it was “not feasible to continue” after their relegation from the Championship at the end of last season.
And Hornets chairman Mazey said the demise of Newcastle, like West Wales and London Skolars before them, confirmed his fears that the current League 1 set up was not sustainable and RL bosses need to rethink the structure of the game so that clubs beyond the twop two levels can thrive.
In an update to supporters, Mazey said: “I would like to send our thoughts and best wishes to everyone connected with Newcastle Thunder. The news that Newcastle will no longer compete in League 1 is nothing short of a disaster for the sport following on from the demise and losses of London Skolars and West Wales.
“Back in April this year, around the time of the IMG vote I personally wrote to Simon Johnson, Chairman the RFL.
“The main purpose of this communication was to go on record that Rochdale Hornets strongly believed that League 1 was completely unsustainable and express our view that once the IMG voting process was concluded, attention should very quickly turn to how we reimagine ALL aspects of the game into thriving,
competitive and growing competitions for ALL clubs, and not just those fortunate enough to be in Championship right now.
“We have believed even before the withdrawal of London and sadly now Newcastle that League 1 was flawed and totally unsustainable.
“It can no longer just be ignored that League 1 clubs face significant challenges with reduced and in truth very little funding from the centre, a reduced number of fixtures mean far too much down time between games, and increasing travel costs due to traveling the length and breadth of the UK with
next to no away followings in return.
“If we are to back expansion. this pain should be shared across the members.
“I could go on all day about this but the top and bottom is it’s simply not viable and will only see more clubs driven out of business and more good people forced away from the sport if we don’t address it now.
“Short term solutions such as loop fixtures for 2024 only kick the can down the road, we need to have some courage in our convictions, be bold enough to push past those with self interest and brave enough to do something
exciting and new, rather just sit and wait for 2025.
“At this stage in a closed season we should by now have boxed off our final budget and financial projections for the year and have our season passes and ticket prices locked and loaded. Yet while writing today, we can’t because we don’t know exactly what the format will be.
“We are working hard to grow our business and IMG want us to increase non-centralised turnover and invest in their recommendations, but how do we do this without a competition structure that helps ALL its member
clubs to maximise their opportunities?
“What is most disappointing is the position some Championship clubs have adopted on this.
“Not so long ago many of the same colleagues publicly criticised Super League clubs and owners for acting in self interest, yet in a recent Council meeting I witnessed an ‘I’m alright Jack’ attitude with a number making it clear that they had no interest in a merged competition or conference format.
“For avoidance of doubt, Rochdale Hornets absolutely support immediate change for the good
of the whole sport.
“Furthermore, myself and others would be excited by this and will invest more in our club to be competitive and add value to an expanded Championship and or a conferenced type structure.
“It is the duty of a strong governing body to act in the best interest of sport as a whole and in the best interest of all its shareholders and I urge our NGB to do so in the week that lies ahead.
“I can confirm that Rochdale Hornets will continue to be part of discussions and will, of course. update supporters as soon as possible.”