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John Davidson

@johnnyddavidson.bsky.social

Sports journalist at The i-Paper, The Guardian, Everything Rugby League, Patreon, League Express, By the Balls podcast. Rugby league, football, rugby union more. Exiled Novocastrian. Email at: journalist.johndavidson@gmail.com

320 Followers  |  78 Following  |  356 Posts  |  Joined: 15.11.2024  |  1.5129

Latest posts by johnnyddavidson.bsky.social on Bluesky

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Arthur on Perth pursuing Leeds' stars: 'It's part of the game' - rugbyleaguehub.com By JOHN DAVIDSON LEEDS Rhinos coach Brad Arthur says the Perth Bears’ attempts to sign up a number of his key players may be “a touch annoying” but admits “it’s part of the game”. Perth enters the NRL...

🗣 "It might be a touch annoying but it’s part of the game."

🦏 @johnnyddavidson.bsky.social hears from Leeds boss Brad Arthur about Perth's attempts to sign several of his key players.

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10.02.2026 07:24 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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History in the rain: York Knights stun Super League on debut night - rugbyleaguehub.com By JOHN DAVIDSON THE heavens opened. And then they opened some more. As the meteorologists will tell you, it’s rained every day of this month so far in England. But a constant downpour of H2O was not ...

✍️ "The heavens opened... But a constant downpour of H2O was not going to stop history being made in York (again)."

⚔️ @johnnyddavidson.bsky.social on the Knights' memorable Super League debut.

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13.02.2026 13:30 — 👍 5    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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Rhodri Jones on Las Vegas and getting into bed with the NRL - rugbyleaguehub.com By JOHN DAVIDSON RUGBY League Commercial managing director Rhodri Jones says he can’t see any reason Super League won’t return to Las Vegas in 2027. READ ON PATREON READ ON SUBSTACK

🇺🇸 RL Commercial managing director Rhodri Jones says he can’t see any reason Super League won’t return to Las Vegas in 2027.

✍️ @johnnyddavidson.bsky.social

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07.02.2026 16:23 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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Haggerty: I still don't know my best team - rugbyleaguehub.com BRADFORD coach Kurt Haggerty admits he still doesn’t know what his best team is as the start of the Super League season approaches – but he’s confident the Bulls will be ready for the new campaign. Ha...

🐮 Bradford coach Kurt Haggerty admits he still doesn’t know what his best team is as the start of the Super League season approaches – but he’s confident the Bulls will be ready for the new campaign.

✍️ @johnnyddavidson.bsky.social

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07.02.2026 16:25 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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Watkins on Ashes whitewash: 'We just didn't execute our plays' - rugbyleaguehub.com By JOHN DAVIDSON KALLUM Watkins has reflected on England’s Ashes whitewash, saying execution was the key difference between the two teams before insisting the series must stay part of the internationa...

🗣 "We just didn’t execute our plays. It’s always about small details and the Aussies did that with the quality that they’ve got."

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Kallum Watkins reflects on the Ashes with @johnnyddavidson.bsky.social.

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03.02.2026 08:10 — 👍 1    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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Ramon Silva leaves Castleford - rugbyleaguehub.com Exclusive: Prop Ramon Silva has been released by Castleford Tigers and linked to a move to a new Championship club. Silva was signed by Castleford in March last year from Barrow Raiders but did not ma...

🗞 Exclusive: Prop Ramon Silva has been released by Castleford Tigers and linked to a move to a new Championship club.

✍️ @johnnyddavidson.bsky.social

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30.01.2026 22:10 — 👍 1    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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British rugby league's brain drain - rugbyleaguehub.com “BRAIN DRAIN is a slang term indicating substantial emigration or migration of individuals. A brain drain can result from turmoil within a nation, the existence of favourable professional opportunitie...

🗣 "Where is the new blood to shake up the sport? Where is the fresh perspectives to offer new ideas and strategies?"

🧠 @johnnyddavidson.bsky.social on British rugby league's brain drain.

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29.01.2026 09:33 — 👍 1    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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'We're super keen for it': York up for Dutch date | rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads Get more from rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads on Patreon

We're super keen for it. We thought it was a great exhibition of the game & taking it to new markets is really important. In some ways, we really admire the way Hull KR got about their business."

(free read) www.patreon.com/posts/were-s...

25.01.2026 12:11 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Wigan on moving on, disappointment and improvement | rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads Get more from rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads on Patreon

Wigan Warriors head coach Matty Peet says his team was "second-best all year" last year and needs to improve in 2026.

(Free read) www.patreon.com/posts/wigan-...

02.01.2026 17:48 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Sky to show all Super League games in 2026 - rugbyleaguehub.com BY JOHN DAVIDSON Exclusive: Sky Sports will broadcast every Super League game in each round next year, with talks continuing over who will cover production costs for the seventh game. Super League is ...

📺 Exclusive: Sky Sports will broadcast every Super League game in each round next year, with talks continuing over who will cover production costs for the seventh game.

✍️ @johnnyddavidson.bsky.social

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17.12.2025 12:40 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
'We just want to have a clean start': Brown on Salford bid - rugbyleaguehub.com BY JOHN DAVIDSON Mason Caton-Brown says his consortium bidding to relaunch Salford Rugby League club wants a clean break from the previous club’s administration and wants to build “something that’s su...

🗣 "We want to build something that the city can be proud of... Not just a big gamble on a big loan like they've had in the past."

👹 Mason Caton-Brown says his consortium bidding to relaunch Salford wants a clean break from the previous club’s administration.

✍️ @johnnyddavidson.bsky.social

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16.12.2025 19:55 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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Salford Red Devils’ fall: Paul King reveals the pressure, promises and pain that drove the club to ruin - rugbyleaguehub.com BY JOHN DAVIDSON Exclusive: Former Salford Red Devils CEO Paul King has opened up about the events that led to the financial decline and liquidation of the Super League club. Salford are being liquida...

👹 Exclusive: Former Salford Red Devils CEO Paul King has opened up about the events that led to the financial decline and liquidation of the Super League club.

✍️ @johnnyddavidson.bsky.social has the story.

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11.12.2025 19:10 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 1
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I risked my home to save my beloved rugby club - now I face financial ruin Millions of pounds in debt, Paul King put his family home up as a guarantee to keep Salford Red Devils afloat - and he is not the only one out of pocket

inews.co.uk/sport/rugby-...

10.12.2025 22:34 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Former RFL boss rejoins Hull FC - rugbyleaguehub.com You must be a member of rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads to see this content! Sign up at patreon.com/rugbyleaguelongreads or rugbyleaguelongreads.substack.comTo view this content, you must be a member of...

⚫️⚪️ Exclusive: Ex-Rugby Football League CEO Tony Sutton has been returned to a role at Hull FC.

✍️ @johnnyddavidson.bsky.social has the details.

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09.12.2025 20:35 — 👍 0    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
Salford Red Devils set for liquidation - rugbyleaguehub.com BY JOHN DAVIDSON BREAKING: Salford Red Devils are set to be wound up today because of their financial issues, ending the history of the 152-year-old club in its current guise. Salford are due in the H...

Salford Red Devils have been wound up because of their financial issues, ending the history of the 152-year-old club in its current guise.

@johnnyddavidson.bsky.social has the details.

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03.12.2025 12:27 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 1
No King for KR - rugbyleaguehub.com BY JOHN DAVIDSON Hull KR will not be signing Melbourne Storm front-rower Josh King. It has been rumoured that the Robins were keen to lure King across to Super League for next season. However, Hull KR...

❌️ Hull KR will not be signing Melbourne Storm front-rower Josh King.

✍️ @johnnyddavidson.bsky.social has the details.

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02.12.2025 13:20 — 👍 0    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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Sport England dragged into World Cup debt drama - rugbyleaguehub.com BY JOHN DAVIDSON Exclusive: International Rugby League (IRL) has reported its issue with the Rugby Football League (RFL) over an alleged unpaid £400,000 World Cup debt to Sport England. The IRL is cha...

🗞 Exclusive: International Rugby League has reported its issue with the RFL over an alleged unpaid £400,000 World Cup debt to Sport England.

✍️ @johnnyddavidson.bsky.social has the story.

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01.12.2025 07:05 — 👍 0    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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Could Super League cash in on Champions League TV situation? Paramount’s capture of the Champions League TV rights in the UK will have wider ramifications for Super League’s next broadcasting deal.

📺 Paramount’s £1 billion capture of the UEFA Champions League TV rights in the UK will have wider ramifications for Super League’s next broadcasting deal.

✍️ @johnnyddavidson.bsky.social explains all.

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25.11.2025 08:37 — 👍 2    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
Wigan miss out on transfer target - rugbyleaguehub.com You must be a member of rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads to see this content! Sign up at patreon.com/rugbyleaguelongreads or rugbyleaguelongreads.substack.comTo view this content, you must be a member of...

🍒⚪️ Exclusive: Wigan Warriors have failed in their bid to lure a rival outside back to The Brick Community Stadium.

✍️ @johnnyddavidson.bsky.social has the details.

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24.11.2025 13:07 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
European Rugby League reshuffles board - rugbyleaguehub.com BY JOHN DAVIDSON Nederlandse Rugby League Bond president Craig Shepard has been voted on to the board of European Rugby League (ERL) after defeating former Central and Eastern European regional direct...

🗳 Nederlandse Rugby League Bond president Craig Shepard has been voted on to the board of European Rugby League after defeating former Central and Eastern European regional director Jovan Vujosevic in an election.

🇪🇺 @johnnyddavidson.bsky.social has the details.

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21.11.2025 16:25 — 👍 3    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
Warrington, reflections and reformation - rugbyleaguehub.com BY JOHN DAVIDSON Warrington Wolves CEO Karl Fitzpatrick has spoken about the club’s frustrating 2025 season, insisting that changes have been made for the new campaign, with potentially more recruits ...

🗣 "We drastically underperformed compared to where we expect at this club."

🐺 @johnnyddavidson.bsky.social speaks to Warrington Wolves CEO Karl Fitzpatrick.

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21.11.2025 16:23 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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Magic to be made at Everton - rugbyleaguehub.com You must be a member of rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads to see this content! Sign up at patreon.com/rugbyleaguelongreads or rugbyleaguelongreads.substack.comTo view this content, you must be a member of...

🏟 Magic Weekend could be set for a new venue in 2026.

✍️ @johnnyddavidson.bsky.social has the details.

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21.11.2025 09:23 — 👍 3    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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English rugby league is stuck in the 1970s - this Ashes proved it Heavy defeat to Australia on the pitch and England's parochial attitude off it should be a wake up call for the sport on these shores

The wake-up call:

inews.co.uk/sport/rugby-...

10.11.2025 17:01 — 👍 1    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
Bulldogs eye English young gun - rugbyleaguehub.com You must be a member of rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads to see this content! Sign up at patreon.com/rugbyleaguelongreads or rugbyleaguelongreads.substack.comTo view this content, you must be a member of...

🐶 Exclusive: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have shown interest in one of the best young prospects in England.

✍️ @johnnyddavidson.bsky.social has the details.

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13.11.2025 07:53 — 👍 1    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
Ashes tipped for 2028 UK return - rugbyleaguehub.com BY JOHN DAVIDSON Exclusive: Talks are underway to ensure the Ashes is hosted by the UK again in 2028, not by Australia. Originally, International Rugby League (IRL) had planned for the Ashes to be sta...

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🆚️ 🇦🇺 Exclusive: Talks are underway to ensure the Ashes is hosted by the UK again in 2028, not by Australia.

✍️ @johnnyddavidson.bsky.social has the details.

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12.11.2025 09:53 — 👍 1    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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English rugby league is stuck in the 1970s - this Ashes proved it Heavy defeat to Australia on the pitch and England's parochial attitude off it should be a wake up call for the sport on these shores

The wake-up call:

inews.co.uk/sport/rugby-...

10.11.2025 17:01 — 👍 1    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
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Second-gear Kangaroos wow the locals but whitewash may not save Kevin Walters | John Davidson Australia ‘win hearts and minds’ in England with their approach, but coach Walters needed more than they showed in final Test

Australia ‘win hearts and minds’ in England with their approach, but coach Walters needed more than they showed in final Test

www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/n...

09.11.2025 17:15 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

'All the pre-series talk was about grit, passion and the Ashes meaning more to the hosts, but all that talk came to naught. Emotion and pride can only take you so far, and eventually composure, talent and execution under pressure win the day.'

06.11.2025 14:06 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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Time for change | rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads Get more from rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads on Patreon

Time for change

(Free read) www.patreon.com/posts/142822...

05.11.2025 21:05 — 👍 5    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 1
London to land centre - rugbyleaguehub.com You must be a member of rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads to see this content! Sign up at patreon.com/rugbyleaguelongreads or rugbyleaguelongreads.substack.comTo view this content, you must be a member of...

🐴 Exclusive: London Broncos are expected to win the race to sign a Super League centre for next season.

✍️ @johnnyddavidson.bsky.social has more.

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01.11.2025 09:50 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0

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