Featherstone Rovers CEO Chris Hamilton has issued a statement to give his initial reaction to the club being refused a spot in this year’s Championship campaign.
The decision was made by the RFL who released a statement on Friday night to outline that the club’s submission for membership had not met governance criteria. As such, the application to take the club, who have been in administration since December, into the 2026 Championship season was turned down.
That means Featherstone Rovers will not be a part of the new season and professional rugby league in the West Yorkshire town is now facing an uncertain future.
Hamilton was still digesting the news when he took to LinkedIn on Friday night and he has expressed his disappointment in the decision.
However, the CEO has vowed to ‘fight back’, using Football League club Accrington Stanley as an example.
Featherstone Rovers chief issues response
“DEVASTATED…,” he wrote.
“That is the only word I have for everybody connected with Featherstone Rovers Rugby League Club right now following the Rugby Football League’s decision not to grant membership and entry into the Betfred Championship for 2026.
“Months of hard work has come to nothing and my feelings right now are ones of total dejection, anger, frustration and sadness amongst others that can be published on here….
“I have only been at the club for just over 2 months but I have put heart and soul into it from day one to try and get a positive outcome and then to move the club on into a new era and if I am feeling like this, I can only imagine what the Fev faithful must be feeling like.
“Delivering the message to the staff who have gone above and beyond over the last few months to keep the club going is one of the toughest things I have ever done.
“Right now, we are considering our position as we only learnt of the decision via email at 16.36 with confirmation that a statement would be made publicly at 5pm, no reasons, just that.
“There is an awful lot about this journey that people need to be made aware of but not right now – it is too raw.
“Whilst absolutely gutted for all concerned, my gut instinct is always to fight back ,harder and stronger than before, and once I get over my initial mood, that’s exactly what I will do, on behalf of Featherstone Rovers.
“Obviously the old club is in Administration and that remains the case, hence me posting on my own page as only the Administrator can post on the official channels.
“We go again like Accrington Stanley – the club that wouldn’t (won’t) die!!”
Check out the latest episode of The Serious About Rugby League Show on our YouTube channel here.
