London Skolars insist they are not relocating to United States
London Skolars have silenced speculation stating that the club has been bought with a view of moving the club to Philadelphia.
On Monday, it was reported in League Weekly that Toronto Wolfpack owner David Argyle has agreed to buy a 25% stake in the Skolars in a deal that could eventually see him relocate the League 1 club to America.
But the London club insist that the club is going nowhere.
The statement read: “We can categorically state that we are massive adovcates for rugby league to have a strong and growing presence in London.
“We believe Skolars with over 23 years of history, 21 of which based on White Hart Lane, are an integral part to the game’s history and future in London and that we are committed to that vision.
“We are one of the only professional clubs with an award winning multi-layered minis to junior section and a renowned community programme in and around the borough of Haringey and we want to build on that for the future.
“Rather than thinking of moving from London, we want to invest here and take the club to the next level on and off the field.”
Skolars chief executive and majority owner Hector McNeil insists the Skolars will remain in the capital.
He said: “I moved to London in 1989 and was one of the founders of the club in 1995, coincidentally the year of the 100thanniversary of that historic meeting in the George Hotel in Huddersfield.
“Our George Hotel was the Chiswell Vaults in the heart of the City where we held our meeting to form the club. I played and coached for the club for over 10 years and now my two sons and daughter have or are playing for the club.
“My fellow directors and myself are huge believers in London RL and our place in that. Being a League 1 club in an M62 centric game is very hard work, but when we see a predominately London developed squad compete against the best in the league week in week out, and players who have come through the Skolars play, in World Cups for England and other nations, in Super League and all the other divisions, we know we are doing lots right and are on the right path.
“Also seeing our Under-16s dominate the London & South East summer competition this season shows that the production line is looking deep and strong. That makes it all worth it for the club’s directors, staff, stakeholders, players, fans and everyone else associated with the club.
“We are flattered by all the speculation, but I for one can’t think of any better city or location in the world to have a rugby club. I have written as much over and over again bemoaning the game’s lack of investment in the capital over the years.
“As previously mentioned, we are raising finance to take us to the net level and should have some news on that in the near term and we would also invite anyone else who is interested in buying into these exciting times to contact us.”
