'There's a gaping hole without Featherstone Rovers'

Featherstone Rovers fans have celebrated the highs and lows of the Rugby Football League (RFL) for more than a century, but for the first time in its rich history they have been denied a place in the structure. Supporters say the economic impact could be similar to the struggles experienced during the Covid pandemic.

"Without the club, the community feels a gaping hole," fan Scott Haslam says.

The Wakefield councillor, who is also a postal worker, has been a lifelong Featherstone fan and worries about the knock-on effects of no matches in 2026.

"If they are not playing at home, Featherstone is like a ghost town, when they are they are pumping on all cylinders," he says.

The club went into administration in December and one takeover bid submitted did not meet the required criteria set by the RFL.

Rovers had been set to begin their 2026 campaign with a Championship fixture away at Batley Bulldogs last Sunday as well as kicking off their Challenge Cup campaign this weekend.

"The RFL will continue to work with the administrator and remains committed to supporting a sustainable return of professional rugby league in the town of Featherstone moving forward," an RFL statement said.

Kay Binnersley, hairdresser and Featherstone fan, says the recent news "took her breath".

"This club holds this community together," she says.

The 56-year-old has been attending matches at Post Office Road with her family since she was a child and believes there will be a social impact to their absence.

"It means everything to everybody in this community," she says.

"It connects people, especially when communities are so fragmented."

She adds: "It's the people fans sit with and talk to - they are extended into their family and those conversations are now not going to be happening - they're lost."

Gordon Barker, 74, who fondly remembers sneaking into the ground with his brother as a child, is concerned for the economic impact on Featherstone.

"I think it will have the same impact that we had when we had Covid," he says.

"We could not do anything," he remembers of the lockdowns.

Five years ago, Featherstone Rovers were celebrating 100 years of playing in the RFL after joining in 1921.

The club is nicknamed The Colliers in recognition of the coal mining industry which shaped the town and the club, with many players and supporters historically working in local pits.

Gordon's own history is quite literally built into the ground at Featherstone.

He is among the fans who volunteered to help construct two stands recycled from a derelict football ground 75 miles away in Scarborough.

"People said it could not be done, but this community did it and I defy it to be done again," he says.

"It is the life and soul of the community - so it is heartbreaking really."

Rovers, whose men's side have narrowly missed out on promotion to Super League on a number of occasions in recent years, were hit with a winding-up petition last year as their money problems mounted.

Efforts to relaunch with new investors are taking place in the hope of a return for the 2027 season.

Paul Cooke, former Featherstone coach, is among those leading the way and heading up a consortium to revive the side next year.

"The people have embraced me," the 44-year-old says.

"Sundays are not the same now without Featherstone Rovers for these people.

"What I am passionate about is trying to get the club back."

James Deighton, Radio Leeds rugby league presenter and commentator, says there is "no doubt" the competition is "all the poorer for the absence of Featherstone Rovers".

"I cannot stress just how strange it felt not having Featherstone Rovers as part of our radio coverage when the new Championship season kicked off," he says.

"Though that is nothing compared to the emotions that Fev fans will have been going through over the last few weeks.

"I only hope that something can be done to resurrect what is such a proud club and we see them back in business for the 2027 season."

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