Statement: Betfred Championship Application

ROCHDALE Hornets will remain in Betfred League 1 following Newcastle Thunder’s successful bid to join the Championship in 2021.

ROCHDALE Hornets will remain in Betfred League 1 following Newcastle Thunder’s successful bid to join the Championship in 2021.

Hornets were one of five clubs that applied to take up the vacant Championship spot ahead of season 2021.

A tremendous amount of work went into providing the panel with a comprehensive bid, in which the club had to show they could meet the following criteria. 

1.  Enhancing the commercial value of the Championship to broadcast and sponsorship partners;

2.  Delivering value to other members of the Championship;

3.  Being competitive on the field of play;

4.  Being sustainable for the 2021 season and beyond;

5.  Delivering the broader goals of the sport as set out in the RFL’s Strategy Reset document.

The board of directors evidenced how they met and exceeded against each of the above points and wholeheartedly believe the club would be a suitable fit for Betfred Championship in 2021.

Thanks must go to our partners, sponsors and supporters who have provided an overwhelming amount of support in the last couple of weeks, and the club has been touched by how the borough of Rochdale, and wider rugby league family, has bought into what the club are doing.

Hornets Chairman, Andy Mazey said: “I am naturally disappointed to miss out on a spot in the Championship, but I am so proud, and grateful for both the work that went into our bid, and the support we have received.

“Matt and his coaching staff have built an incredibly strong squad for 2021 and our focus will now be on reaching Championship on the field and building to become a sustainable Championship club.

“League 1 will be a competitive and exciting division in 2021 and we are looking forward to rising to the challenge.

“We wish Newcastle Thunder the very best in the Championship. The work they have done in the North East in the past few years to grow the game has been brilliant and they have been recognised for that.

“Finally, I want to extend my thanks to everyone who got behind us through the application process. We have received support from our partners and sponsors as well as our loyal supporters and wider rugby league public. The support and kind words has been truly humbling so from myself, and on behalf of the entire club: thank you.”

Rochdale Hornets will announce a season ticket and match day pricing structure with new ticketing partner Future Ticketing in the new year.