John Davidson

Sheffield, Shelbyville, Sydney

Sports Journalist at Freelance

Sports journalist @iPaperSport @guardian_sport @ERLEAGUE @leagueexpress @BytheBalls2. Rugby league & more. Exiled Novocastrian [email protected]

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Articles

Johnson opens up about RFL exit

2 weeks ago | rugbyleaguehub.com | John Davidson

BY JOHN DAVIDSONFormer RFL chairman Simon Johnson has commented on his departure from the governing body as part of a boardroom coup in UK rugby league. Johnson was forced out and resigned on March 11. The ex-chair has conducted a long-ranging interview with Forty20 magazine’s April issue. In it he gave his take on the coup, the in-fighting that has taken over the sport and his own tenure at the RFL.
Regional director slams treatment by European Rugby League

2 weeks ago | rugbyleaguehub.com | John Davidson

BY JOHN DAVIDSONExclusive: Former Central and Eastern European regional director Jovan Vujosevic has opened up about his sudden departure from European Rugby League (ERL) and taken aim at the running of the sport globally. Vujosevic was retrenched by the ERL at the end of last year. The Serbian has worked to grow and develop rugby league across Europe since 2007.
Gould: ‘The NRL should be the English Premier League of world rugby league’

2 weeks ago | rugbyleaguehub.com | John Davidson

BY JOHN DAVIDSONPhil Gould believes the NRL taking over Super League would be vital in the growth and successful expansion of rugby league across the globe. Speaking in depth on the Six Tackles with Gus podcast, the former NRL and NSW coach, and current Canterbury Bulldogs boss, commented on reports that the NRL is interested in getting involved with rugby league in the UK.
Fan group launches to call for unity

2 weeks ago | rugbyleaguehub.com | John Davidson

BY JOHN DAVIDSONA new fan lobby group has been set up in the UK to provide rugby league supporters with a voice. ‘Rugby League United Supporters Association’ was launched today to help unite fans and aim to give them a say in the running of the sport. It is the brainchild of St Helens fan Bryn Cowin and Leeds supporter Lawrie Lee, and comes at a time of immense upheaval in the British game.
Shake-up at the IRL

1 month ago | rugbyleaguehub.com | John Davidson

BY JOHN DAVIDSONBreaking: International Rugby League (IRL) has changed its constitution and its board size with directors Andrew Abdo, Greg Peters and Brian Juliff leaving their posts. Companies House published this morning that the trio have had their appointments as directors terminated. Abdo is the CEO of the NRL, Peters is the CEO of New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) and Juliff is a director of European Rugby League (ERL).
Appeal to government made over rugby league governance

1 month ago | rugbyleaguehub.com | John Davidson

By JOHN DAVIDSONBreaking: A passionate appeal has been made to Lisa Nandy MP, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, to investigate and independently review the RFL and the governance of rugby league. An anonymous letter emailed to Nandy and to members of the media this afternoon, purporting to come from ‘The real community of rugby league’, calls for government action following the dramatic coup that has taken place at the RFL, first reported by The i-Paper in February.
RFL director denies she was pushed out

1 month ago | rugbyleaguehub.com | John Davidson

BY JOHN DAVIDSONBreaking: Former RFL director Sandy Lindsay denies she was forced to resign from the governing body, but has admitted she is “sad” about what is happening in rugby league. Lindsay quit from the RFL board on Friday. The group of clubs looking to force change from the RFL wanted her and chairman Simon Johnson out, and both have quit in the space of just five days.
Featherstone accused of unpaid wages as infighting engulfs rugby league

1 month ago | inews.co.uk | John Davidson

Less than two weeks ago the good, the bad and the influential of rugby league could be found in a bar in Las Vegas, overlooking the Strip and the famous Bellagio casino. Powerbrokers from the Rugby Football League (RFL), Rugby League Commercial, the National Rugby League (NRL), Super League and other key figures were meeting under the warm Nevada night sky at a crucial time for the sport.
Hicks departs RFL

1 month ago | rugbyleaguehub.com | John Davidson

BY JOHN DAVIDSONExclusive: Another senior leader of the RFL has departed, with the governing body today confirming the departure of Rob Hicks. Hicks served as the RFL’s company secretary, as Director of Operations & Legal, and also on its board of directors. The former Super League match official was suspended since the end of September, along with the organisation’s safeguarding manager Kerry Simmons, pending an investigation.
Women’s group rips RFL coup

1 month ago | rugbyleaguehub.com | John Davidson

BY JOHN DAVIDSONExclusive: An open letter has been circulated across the RFL and the sport criticising the attempt to overthrow the leadership of the governing body. As has been reported last month, a number of clubs have been plotting for some time to oust RFL director Sandy Lindsay and chairman Simon Johnson.