The Chairman and CEO of one Championship side have spoken on the club’s Super League-heavy recruitment and that of one major rival.
Featherstone Rovers are one of several Championship outfits to have looked to Super League a lot to fuel their squad building for the upcoming season with the Flat Cappers having now built an incredibly strong squad.
With the dominant Wakefield Trinity having earned promotion to Super League, the second tier looks set for an incredibly competitive season and Featherstone are favoured to be right in and amongst it.
In a video update shared to the club’s YouTube, chairman Martin Vickers and CEO Paddy Handley have discussed the squad, specific signings and who else could go well in 2025.
Speaking on impressive recruitment, Handley outlined which rivals had put together squads to be reckoned with, stating: “Certainly Bradford, I’d say, have recruited really well and Carl Hall at Doncaster, they’ve recruited really well.
“There are some unknown entities as well. There is a lot of hype going on about Oldham. They’ve put together a really strong team, they’re not coming just to take part, are they?”
Featherstone assess ‘icing on cake’ Super League signing
Credit: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
Whilst all of Bradford, Doncaster and Oldham have signed some serious talent, including ex-Super League stars, Featherstone have done the same as well.
The likes of Derrell Olpherts (Wakefield Trinity), Carlos Tuimavave (Hull FC) and most recently King Vuniyayawa (Salford Red Devils) are all big additions to the squad, none more so than Vuniyayawa.
Chairman Vickers stated: “We’ve had one recent addition in King, a big Fijian lad. We’ve worked really hard over the off-season to get his signature
“He’ll be signing from Salford. All of his pedigree from Super League where he’s been with Leeds Rhinos and the Red Devils. We’ve been fortunate to get that capture.”
Speaking further on that, Handley explained: “We felt as though we were a middle short. There was maybe four that were shortlisted when looking for that icing on the cake.
“He’s hardly icing though, he looked as if he’s made of granite when I shook his hand. This guy should be setting Post Office Road on fire.”
The ex-Leeds and Salford man’s signature was confirmed to be the final arrival with Handley moving to explain the importance of allowing the team to gel, particularly given they’re not the only Championship outfit to have assembled a top squad.
Handley argued: “We’ve recruited really well. To talk about the team that’s been put together is very special but we aren’t the only ones doing it. I think Bradford have recruited really well.
“It’s not just about recruitment though, it’s about gelling hence they were in a week earlier than all of the other Championship clubs.”
Rovers will play three pre-season friendlies, taking on new League One club Goole Vikings, the recently relegated Dewsbury Rams and Super League side Huddersfield Giants as they prepare for Round One when they host Doncaster at Post Office Road.
