Featherstone Rovers have suffered a torrid period off the field in 2024, with the club in financial turmoil. The club has faced one crisis after another in the aftermath of their failed promotion bid from the Championship in the 2023 season.
At the beginning of this month, the club were hit with a winding-up petition from Investec, according to City AM. This follows five county court judgements from player agent Damien Dussault over unpaid debts, as reported by inews.
Things had looked to be improving for the West Yorkshire club, with former Leeds Rhinos and Featherstone Rovers player Paddy Handley joining the board, which is believed to be a precursor to further investment in the club.
However, a public dispute between the club and former player, Dane Chisholm, has brought the club back into the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Super League Quiz: Can you name every team relegated since 1996?
Featherstone Rovers settle outstanding payment with Chisholm
Credit: Imago Images
Featherstone Rovers Rovers and Dane Chisholm appear to have settled their ongoing dispute, as Chisholm revealed that the club had paid him the money owed. Chisholm last appeared for Featherstone in the 2023 season, having also played for the club between 2019 and 2022, during which time he scored 25 tries in 38 appearances.
Yesterday, Chisholm posted an angry tweet in response to reports that Featherstone were interested in signing three players from a rival club, Dewsbury Rams. Chisholm posted on social media site X (formerly Twitter) saying: “Pay me first, then sign whoever you want”, tagging in the Featherstone account.
Pay me first. Then sign who ever you want @mart_vickers @FevRoversRLFC https://t.co/OhGyXV3fSU
— Dane Chisholm (@dane_chisholm) June 12, 2024
Later in the day, Chisholm posted another message in which he stated that the club had been in touch and the matter had now been resolved. He did, however, single out the RFL for criticism in how they support their players. Chisholm stated:
“Big thank you everyone who supported me the last few months. Fev and I have settled & money has been sent. Excited to go back to supporting Featherstone and the Super League from here in Aus. RFL…be better at supporting your players so things like this don’t happen so often🙏🏽”
Big thank you everyone who supported me the last few months. Fev and I have settled & money has been sent. Excited to go back to supporting Featherstone and the @SuperLeague from here in Aus. @rfl ..be better at supporting your players so things like this don’t happen so often🙏🏽
— Dane Chisholm (@dane_chisholm) June 13, 2024
Campbell hits back at Chisholm in social media spat
Credit: Imago Images
Whilst Chisholm’s post appeared to draw a line under the affair, Featherstone’s chairman, Mark Campbell bit back at the former player in response to the post. Campbell made reference to the club’s support of Chisholm through an allegation that he used discriminatory language during his first spell as the club.
Chisholm initially received a lengthy ban for the incident, however, that ban was overturned on appeal and Chisholm was able to continue playing. At the time, Featherstone voiced their displeasure that the ban was ever upheld, as there was no recorded evidence of the incident having taken place, beyond the allegation.
Whilst Campbell does not explicitly refer to this incident, it is likely that this is what he is referring to in his post.
Campbell’s message to Chisholm said: “Who supported you through the racist shit you were charged with n paid for a top lawyer to get you off. How many £££££ did that cost me n we could have sacked you there n then”
Who supported you through the racist shit you were charged with n paid for a top lawyer to get you off
How many £££££ did that cost me n we could have sacked you there n then— Mark Campbell (@MarkCampbellfr) June 13, 2024
Campbell has received severe criticism from fans of the club for his handling of affairs off the field in recent months, with the club suffering from a string of controversies. In a statement earlier this year, Campbell took full responsibility for the club’s financial strife and confirmed that he would step down from the club once a suitable group of investors was found.
