Swinton Lions have unveiled plans to rebrand as Manchester Lions for the 2020 season.
The Championship club have submitted an application for a change of name though officials insist that they will keep their Swinton identity by keeping the colors and including the return of the white’V’ over the blue top.
Swinton say the shift is needed to capitalise on the 2021 World Cup and also to be sure the club’s fiscal equilibrium by broadening its appeal, with both the Town of Manchester Council and Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council.
A statement by the club stated:”This decision is most definitely not to get shareholder gain, but contrary to the legitimate need to secure a future of the club and also save it from extinction.
“It is worth noting that the board have resisted numerous firm approaches to unite different clubs from the immediate previous but these approaches are rejected since they were insecure and will do nothing to safeguard the lineage of the Lions as a stand-alone historic club.
“The board firmly believe there is a significant opportunity to expand the appeal of Swinton by becoming THE rugby league club Manchester.”
Swinton, who left their older Station Road ground 27 decades ago, say long-standing plans to construct a residence that is new in Agecroft are unlikely to come to fruition and the team will continue to play with at Heywood Road in Sale.

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