The officer in charge of Featherstone Rovers’ administration has shared a statement that will offer some hope to fans of the club.
Rovers filed for administration back in December and that saw Andrew Rosler appointed as the club’s administrator with Rosler working alongside the RFL and any interested parties to try and secure a deal to ensure Featherstone could play in the 2026 season.
Unfortunately, with just one submission of interest and that being deemed by the RFL to be too closely linked to the club’s former hierarchy, the RFL made the decision to deny Featherstone membership and subsequently remove them from the upcoming Championship season.
It means the 2026 season, which starts tomorrow, will be the first since 1920 without Featherstone Rovers, however, there are plans for a new club.
Rovers’ head coach Paul Cooke has revealed his own plans to Serious About Rugby League and now administrator Andrew Rosler has offered fans some more hope.
Administration ‘doesn’t signal end of the club’ says Featherstone Rovers administrator
Taking to his LinkedIn, Rosler shared a message expressing disappointment at the decision but also outlining how new submissions are being sought to potentially re-form the club.
Rosler said: “It was very disappointing that the sole submission to ensure a Featherstone Rovers RLFC Team in the 2026 Season was not successful. However, that doesn’t signal the end of the Club.
“In conjunction with The Rugby Football League further submissions are being sought for membership approval prior to the 2027 Season. Whilst no formal deadline has yet been set, the timescale for interested parties to produce submissions should now at least allow a more realistic and considered approach than was available previously in time for the 2026 Season kick off.”
As for those who are interested in taking the club on, he added: “Expressions of interest in respect of membership can be made either directly to The Rugby Football League or via our agents Damian Short who will also handle enquiries in respect of the Company’s interest in land and other assets.
“Any further updates in respect of the bidding process will be communicated in due course.”
Paul Cooke is one of those interested, telling Serious About Rugby League on Monday: “Whilst everyone including myself has lots of unanswered questions, I’d rather focus on trying to find a solution.
“To that end I am still liaising with the RFL and to establish what it will take for a fresh bid to be submitted so that Featherstone Rovers can be reborn, play again and take its place in the RFL championship competition. After all, rugby league is the greatest game of all.
“As a final thought I refuse to believe the death of the Featherstone Rovers. It will exist again notwithstanding last week’s decision.”
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