Super League boss Robert Elstone announces shock resignation

Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com - 24/07/2019 - Rugby League - Rugby Football League Council Meeting - The Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster, England - Robert Elstone at the RFL Council AGM.

A brief statement issued on Tuesday afternoon read: "Super League can confirm that it has received notice of executive chairman, Robert Elstone’s, intention to leave his position.

"The matter will be discussed by the Super League Board and no further comment will be made at this time."

Elstone, 57, is a lifelong Castleford Tigers fan and had a spell as a director of the club as well as working for the RFL.

He joined Everton Football Club in 2005 as chief operating officer and was appointed chief executive in 2009 and a director in 2016.

He was appointed by Super League in June, 2018 as clubs in the elite competition - unhappy with the Rugby League's governance of the game - set about running their own affairs.

His brief at the time was to bring in extra revenue to the sport and negotiate a new television contract.

Clubs recently voted against a deal which would reportedly have seen Super League take around £61m over five years in return for giving up a 27 per cent stake to private equity firm Novalpina Capital.

There are fears Super League is facing a substantial cut in income under its next television agreement.