York bring in Huddersfield youngster Aidan McGowan on loan

Drew Darbyshire
LNER Community Stadiu

A general view of the LNER Community Stadium, York

York have signed young full-back Aidan McGowan from Huddersfield on loan.

The Giants academy product is in contention to make his debut for the Knights in this Sunday’s Championship clash against Sheffield.

McGowan, who has represented England and Ireland at academy level, went viral earlier this year when he made an outstanding tackle to prevent Leeds forward King Vuniyayawa from scoring.

 

York coach James Ford said: “I’m grateful to be in a position to be able to bring another talented young man to the club who is full of energy, enthusiasm and ability. I’m excited to work with him and confident he will bring plenty to the group.”

McGowan added: “I’m really excited to get this opportunity with such a big club, with big ambitions. I’m really looking forward to getting round the boys and meeting all the staff. I’m looking forward to giving my best for the club and for the fans.”

Huddersfield managing director Richard Thewlis commented: “This is the next stage of development for Aidan who we’ve seen to be a stand-out performer this year in the Under-19s academy competition and of course is capped by England at his age group.

“The challenge week in, week out, in the Championship is a tough one but is one that he has wanted and we are grateful to York for contacting us when their squad was stretched and were quickly able to agree the deal. As is the case in all such arrangements, it will be reviewed by all parties on a week-to-week basis.”

In other news, promotion and relegation to and from Super League is still set to go ahead at the end of the season.

There has been some conjecture over whether the goal posts will once again be moved, including an erroneous report by the BBC on their live Challenge Cup final coverage that relegation will not take place this year.

But officials from the RFL and Super League have confirmed to us that there have been no formal discussions around removing relegation.

An RFL spokesperson said: “There is no change – it’s still one up, one down.

“There has been acknowledgement from Super League, and an emphasis from us, that Championship clubs can’t be blamed (for the impact of COVID) and that promotion can’t be affected.”

Championship Aidan McGowan