Stabler honoured with York City Knights club presidency

York City Knights says it is delighted to announce that York RL stalwart John Stabler has accepted an invitation to become Honorary Club President.

Born in 1946 under the shadow of the York Minster, John Stabler left school to work for Lloyds Bank before later becoming a textiles salesman in West Yorkshire. A few years later he set up his own business - Stabler Linings - and from there has diversified over 40 years into a thriving textiles business.

His Grandfather and Great-Uncle were directors of the York club throughout one of the most successful periods in their history in the 1930’s,

John was first a sponsor of York Rugby League with Stabler Linings in 1985, before joining the board of directors from 1991 to 1996. He returned as Chairman to try and save the then Wasps in 2001-2, and is also a former board member at Gateshead Thunder and Hull FC, and was president of the Yorkshire County Rugby League in 1991.

Roland Davis has been a close personal friend of Stabler for over 40 years, and worked with him at York Rugby League throughout three spells in the 1990’s as General Manager and Secretary.

He said:

“In nearly 80 years of watching and 40 years of working in rugby league, I cannot think of a harder working person than John. 

Back in the 90’s he was down at the club every single weekend and on Tuesday’s he was there helping to sell tickets for the club lottery that we ran in conjunction with Scarborough Cricket Club.

Running the rugby club was his passion - he never missed a first team or even an A team game - there weren’t many Directors that were involved in their clubs than John was.

To him it was much more than a place to bring his wife and friends on a Sunday afternoon.

He’s invested so much of his time and money in life into so many good clubs and projects - sometimes even his wife would have to tell him when enough was enough! You don’t do that if you don’t love sport.

He was a breath of fresh air.

For a long time in the 90’s, without John there may not have been a York RL club at all. He didn’t have an army of brilliant volunteers to support him like the Knights are lucky to have today - which is wonderful to see.

He may not be able to dedicate as much time as he’d like to these days due to still running his textiles business, but he is still as enthusiastic as ever and will be a worthy Club President.

 

John Stabler has been a keen sports fan his whole life and played Cricket played for 29 seasons with York RI, Crossgates, Old Manor CC and Horbury Cricketers.

He is the current Chairman of Methley CC, as well as being a long-time season ticket holder at York City FC.

He said:

“When Jon asked me if I would consider being a Club President, I was very proud and truly humbled. It was a lovely moment for me and I had no hesitation in accepting.

It is a real exciting time to be a supporter of York City Knights as the club gets ready to move into the new stadium. The landscape at Monks Cross now is completely different to when the club first moved there 30 years ago - Huntington is a fantastic part of the city to be based in and the modern facilities that the city have cried out for decades have been delivered. The club has a real platform for success now, both on and off the pitch.

I can’t wait to see the club continue its rapid progression under Jon Flatman in the new stadium next year. It has been a long time coming!”

 York City Knights Chairman Jon Flatman said:

“While we continue to prepare for an exciting future for the club, it is important to remember our heritage and the people who have helped us massively along the way.

 Mr Stabler has provided me with a wealth of invaluable guidance and assistance in the three years I have been a custodian for York City Knights, and I am delighted that he has accepted this Honorary Club Presidency.

I look forward to welcoming John to the LNER Community Stadium next season as a friend of the club, when we embark on an exciting new era.”

  Lifetime York Rugby League fan Gary Hall said:

“I’m really pleased for John. He’s a really good guy with a heart the size of a melon. He came and shook my hand at the Championship play-off semi final against Featherstone and he was wearing the brightest amber jacket you have ever seen.

John worked tirelessly for York Rugby League for many years and it is fantastic to see Jon Flatman and the Knights recognise that with this deserved honorary role.” 

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