"An incredibly sad day for the game as well as for Swinton Rugby League" The Real Swinton Rugby League
Last night, the Board of Swinton Lions RLFC issued a statement confirming that the name of the club is to change to Manchester Lions RLFC...
"The Board firmly believe that there is a significant opportunity to broaden the appeal of Swinton by becoming the rugby league club of Manchester" it states "...a Manchester club that appeals to a broader fan base and one that we can all be proud of...
"It is clear that with the highly probable central funding decreases post-2021, a stagnant home fan attendance, and a consistent failure to meet the RFL key funding objectives, that it is imperative that the Board act now to give the Lions not only the best chance of survival, but also to grow and be a force in the game" it adds "...This decision is most definitely not for shareholder gain, but against the true need to secure a future of the Club and save it from extinction..."
The Board adds that the Swinton name, colours and heritage have been respected, as the "The title 'Swinton' remains alongside our year of Foundation (1866), the iconic rampant Lion and our Six 'Championship' stars. The 2020 home kit will also see the return of our famous white 'V' on blue shirt".
The move, the Club states, is to capitalise on the 2021 Rugby World Cup, which will have major games played in Manchester, and to maximise "a significant commitment from the RFL to create a real and measurable legacy arising from the World Cup".
In its statement, the Board quotes Marc Lovering, the RFL Director of Participation and Development..."Whilst Swinton Lions would be a part of that process I do believe that a newly rebranded Swinton Lions incorporating Manchester in its name would be far better equipped to benefit from the increase in activity in and around Manchester which will include Trafford as a focus area..."
The Club has been nomadic since it left its famous Station Road ground in Swinton 27 years ago, and is currently committed to continue playing at Heywood Road in Sale, with the Board ending any hopes of moving to a new ground in Agecroft.
"Following submission of detailed plans to the RFL, the Board expects to receive approval from the governing body to effect change in the playing trading name of Swinton Lions RLFC to Manchester Lions RLFC for the 2020 season" concludes the Board "At a Club Board meeting on 3rd September, the Directors considered all implications and opportunities and voted unanimously to proceed with these changes for the reasons outlined above.
"This decision has not been taken lightly, but we are at a crossroads and need to take action whilst there still remains the opportunity to effect the necessary changes" it adds "We respectfully ask that all supporters take all the above points into account and come with us on what could be an exciting and successful journey!"
The decision has been met with fury by some fans, who have formed a group called The Real Swinton Rugby League, releasing their own statement expressing "great sadness and shock that we are to lose our team...
"While some will see it as Swinton in everything but name, to us, it is not" the group states "Our name is ours. It's not something that can be taken by prospective investors and changed at the drop of a hat, without proper consultation with the club's real stakeholders, the fans."
The statement adds that it feels like "the beginning of the end of Swinton Lions Rugby League Club, that will be replaced by a club that we have no affinity to" and called it "an incredibly sad day for the game as well as for Swinton Rugby League".
The statement ends... "our small group of dedicated, life-long Swinton fans, some third and fourth generation Swinton fans, including an handful who have worn the shirt with pride and honour, took the difficult decision that if the club was to be renamed, we would be relinquishing our support, as our club will no longer exist and will be replaced by a pipe dream called Manchester.
"As a result of ending our support, we have decided to take the step of forming our own Rugby League Club, that will seek to preserve the Swinton name" it adds "While this is very early in our journey, we are looking forward to the future of Swinton Rugby League..."
And the Board of the Swinton Lions Supporters' Trust has also issued a statement urging the Club to carry out a 'proper consultation' with the fans...
"It is clear from discussions amongst the fans and the various posts on social media that many fans are extremely unhappy with the decision to drop 'Swinton' from the team name and indeed that many feel unable to continue with their support for the Club as it will no longer be the 'Swinton' that they know and love" the Trust states.
"It is also clear amongst those fans who have commented on social media that whilst, in an ideal world, the vast majority of fans would like to see the team name left as it is many would agree a compromise of 'Manchester Swinton Lions'" it adds "This would enable the Club Board to emphasise the 'Manchester' aspect of the Club when promoting it to sponsors and new fans but would leave 'Swinton' in the name..."
The Trust's statement ends with three demands...
1) the opportunity to be consulted properly on these proposals before any approach is made to the RFL for approval of the name change and we suggest, as a minimum, that the Club makes public the presentation slides shown at last month's meeting and holds a supporters' meeting as a matter of urgency to enable this matter to be properly discussed.
2) that the Board gives proper consideration, with an open mind, to any compromise proposals put forward.
3) that the Board answers any questions put forward regarding its proposals and the detailed research/reasoning behind them...
To read the full statement on the name change from the Swinton Lion Board - click here
To read the full statement from The Real Swinton Rugby League see its Twitter page @realswintonrl - click here
Update: 13th September 2019 - Board of Swinton Lions resigns - click here
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