Newcastle Knights look to Wests Group for backing

With mining magnate Nathan Tinkler's Hunter Sports Group having relinquished control of the Newcastle Knights, the Knights Members Club is looking to the Wests Group to back the NRL Club.

Wests Group operates four licensed clubs in the Newcastle area — Wests New Lambton, Wests Mayfield, Wests Cardiff and Wests Nelson Bay Diggers with a massive membership base.

The Group is already a major sponsor of the Knights and own the Centre of Excellence in Mayfield that houses the Knights’ administrative and training base.

They have had a close relationship with the NRL club since it was formed in 1988 but have always stepped back from suggestion they were keen to run the Knights, even when the club was struggling financially prior to Tinkler’s takover.

Tinkler released a statement on Friday to confirm his exit, blaming new custodians, the Knights Members Club, for stalling handover negotiations and going to great lengths to talk up the ways in which Hunter Sports Group (HSG) had benefited Newcastle.

However, considerable uncertainty surrounds the Club’s finances with accounts and liabilities – thought to be well into the millions of dollars - still to be settled.

The Knights Members Club are reported to be negotiating with the Wests Group, hoping to ensure they play a role as co-owners or, at the very least, major sponsors.

22nd May 2014 - NATHAN TINKLER GIVES UP ON NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS, SAYS HE SAVED CLUB FROM LIQUIDATION 

19th May 2014 - HUNTER SPORTS GROUP EXPECTED TO HAND OVER NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS 

26th November 2012 - HUNTER SPORTS GROUP IN BREACH OF ‘BINDING AGREEMENT’ FOR USE OF NEWCASTLE’S HUNTER STADIUM

20th June 2012 - NEWCASTLE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF SUCCESS

2nd May 2012 - HUNTER SPORTS GROUP TO RETAIN A-LEAGUE LICENCE

15th February 2010 - KNIGHTS SUE JETS OVER STADIUM