FORMER long-serving chairman Mark Campbell is a central figure in the group hoping to take Featherstone Rovers out of administration to have a team ready to start the Championship campaign in the middle of next month, League Express understands.
The club had applied to go into administration, admitting there was no way out of their financial problems due to the level of debt accumulated, and that move was sanctioned last Monday (December 15).
The court at the same time dismissed an HMRC winding-up petition, which was the previous week adjourned for a second time.
That was over a reported £120,000 tax bill, but it is thought the total debt was far more.
In a statement issued last Monday, the club said: “Andrew Rosler, insolvency practitioner of Ideal Corporate Solutions Limited, has been appointed administrator and will manage the business, affairs and assets of the company.
“One of the principal aims is to safeguard the future of the club and ensure it can compete in the Championship in the forthcoming season.
“Given the proximity of the new season, the Rugby Football League have set a very tight timescale for all interested parties in acquiring the club (and to gain membership of the RFL) to deliver their initial submissions by 4.00pm on Friday, December 19.
“The RFL will then undertake a period of assessment and decision making.”
After the deadline passed, Rosler, who as administrator has control of the club’s communication channels, revealed: “There has been one submission by an interested party provided to the RFL in respect of the club.
“The interested party and the administrators will work alongside the RFL to secure a swift conclusion to the assessment process to safeguard the future of the club.”
League Express sources suggest a three-strong group, Campbell, Colm Corran and Chris Hamilton, have submitted the bid.
Former Featherstone player Campbell returned to the helm of the club, who have played a senior level since 1921, after Paddy Handley stepped down as chairman in September, having replaced Campbell in August 2024.
Corran was a director of the old company while Hamilton, the former Oldham owner and chairman who was part of a consortium who relaunched that club after the original version folded in October 1997, was brought in by Rovers as chief executive at the start of November.
Campbell and Hamilton were listed as the two members of a company called Rovers 2026 Ltd incorporated on November 17. Hamilton is the company secretary.
The governing body will insist all rugby-related debts are met in full, with RFL membership clearly the key to moving forward.
Featherstone, currently without a confirmed coach or players, are due to face Batley away on Sunday, January 18.
Entering administration could lead to a points deduction for 2026.
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