Rugby Football League looking to move to Manchester City’s super centre

RUGBY League is set to get in bed with Manchester City by moving across the Pennines.

The 13-a-side game’s bosses are moving the Rugby Football League’s headquarters from Red Hall in Leeds this year.

PA:Press Association

And SunSport understands the Etihad Campus, the huge training and administration complex built opposite the Etihad Stadium, is the preferred choice.

It is felt moving there will give the sport easier access to City’s off-field knowhow, especially when it comes to gaining sponsors.

The English Institute of Sport centre which neighbours the stadium has also been used by England’s rugby league team for training sessions.

And an amateur side, Manchester Rangers, plays out of the Manchester Regional Arena, the small stadium that was used as a warm-up track for the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Thorpe Park in Leeds is the other site on the RFL’s shortlist as it looks for a new base during a massive shake-up, that included interim chief executive Ralph Rimmer and Super League general manager Mark Foster meeting promoter Eddie Hearn.

From the two-hour get-together in London, Hearn said he feels players should be made household names and indicated a desire to get involved with events like Magic Weekens and the Challenge Cup final.