York Knights have their full focus on playing Super League in 2027, despite there still being no security over their top-flight future.
With the competition’s structure still up in arms, York and Toulouse were the two sides sat in 13th and 14th on the latest IMG rankings, with the pair said to be the most likely to drop out of the competition.
Should Super League remain at 14, the governing body would then have to decide whether they keep London Broncos in the Championship for another season, or to relegate someone.
However, York are confident they will remain in the top flight next year, and are building a squad and off-field structure for that scenario come 2027.
Boss Mark Applegarth was questioned about how his side prepare long-term given there is so much uncertainty, to which he replied: “We’re planning as though we’re in Super League.
“There’s been a hell of a lot of work done behind the scenes and some really good signings.
“We choose to do it different to a lot of clubs, we’ll keep quiet for the time being, but what have we got left, six games? I’m full steam ahead as if we’re in Super League [next year].”
Applegarth cannot fathom a Super League without York involved, not only given the impact they have made this season, but the fact they were only promoted 12-months ago, showing how little time they have had to try and forge their path.
He stressed: “As I’ve said all along, I think it would be an absolute catastrophe and a bit of a backwards-leaning move to promote two teams up on half funding and then say, ‘Right, that’s you done, you’re out’.
“We’re working as though we’re on the full salary cap next year, really going for it. I think bang for your buck this year, we’ve punched above our weight. I think Toulouse too, on half funding, have punched above their weight, but we also want to get swinging with an equal playing field, too.”
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Pleading his club’s case, he added: “It’s not my decision to make, but I think anyone that’s been to York this year can see that it’s an absolute great addition to Super League, in an iconic city in the UK. What is there not to like about it?
“As I say, we’re just focussing on building a squad that we think will kick us on in Super League and we’ve been told no other reason not to either.”
Despite not having that 100% clarification, the Knights are certainly building as though as decision has been made.
“We are planning firmly,” he revealed. “I think it’s at a state now where you’ve got to plan firmly. You can’t play with people’s livelihoods like that, and if you want the right people, you can’t do it on a whim.
“You’ve got to give them time to make the decision but also give them that stability because it’s not just them, it’s their families.
“If we want to be taken seriously as a club and the sport wants to be taken seriously as a sport, then we can’t be doing things with such late notice. Things should be strategically planned and operated in that sense, making sure we follow a five-year strategic plan with measurements in place to indicate whether we’re on the right track or not.
“I just say who we should be signing, why we should be signing them, and let everyone else worry about that side.”
