The RFL hope to reach a conclusion regarding Featherstone Rovers’ membership to the league this week.
The Championship season gets underway in less than two weeks’ time, but it remains to be seen whether Featherstone will be able to take part in the competition.
That’s because the club entered administration last month amid insurmountable debts and a winding up order, which has now been dismissed.
Confirming their decision to apply for administration, the club claimed it would be unable to trade its way out of financial situation it finds itself in.
Since then though, Rovers’ administrators have outlined their hopes that a Featherstone club will be able to compete in the 2026 season and there is one party currently in talks about taking on the club’s membership to the RFL.
The club released an update on New Year’s Eve to confirm that the approval process for membership was ongoing, with the RFL yet to reach an agreement with the new company interested in leading the Flatcappers into the new campaign.
And, in a statement given to Serious About Rugby League, the RFL have confirmed that they are working towards reaching a solution in the coming days.
“Discussions remain ongoing with the new company seeking RFL approval for Featherstone Rovers Club Membership,” a statement from the governing body read.
“It is hoped that a conclusion can be reached this week.”
Paul Cooke’s side are due to travel to Batley Bulldogs in round one of the Championship season on January 18 before the West Yorkshire outfit take on either Brighouse Rangers or Lock Lane in the second round of the Challenge Cup a week after.
Given the time constraints, though, there has to be serious doubts about whether Featherstone can organise themselves in time to fulfil either of those fixtures. Especially, with the club having just 11 first-team players contracted for 2026 at present.
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