Featherstone Rovers are in disarray at the moment and that’s seen former chairman Mark Campbell return and launch a statement to explain why.
Campbell had been chairman of Rovers for 16 years but resigned in August 2024, stepping away from the club after a difficult year on and off the field.
His replacement, Paddy Handley, oversaw an improved 2025 season but he penned his resignation earlier this week, citing ‘varying agendas’ at the club as a key reason.
Featherstone crashed out of the play-offs last Friday with defeat to Bradford and off-field issues are prominent again with a HMRC winding up petition issued to Rovers in early September.
As well as citing ‘varying agendas’, Handley also noted that the club had struggles unlocking “around 6 million” in assets, suggesting a major issue at the Championship club.
That’s seen former chair Mark Campbell wade in with a statement from him released on club socials to address the issues.
Featherstone Rovers to assess finances amid chair’s resignation
Campbell has taken the decision to return to Featherstone Rovers, something he claims he has to do to “ensure the future of our great club”.
He’s outlined a plan to assess the financial situation and ensure that fans, sponsors and importantly creditors are made aware of the situation, though, he expects that process to take some time.
His statement in full reads: “Since becoming the influential person at the club in 2006 I have consistently supported the club financially to ensure the club can continue to benefit the community.
“As you are aware I took the decision to fully step back and hand control over to Paddy Handley 18 months ago as this would allow someone with a fresh approach and enthusiasm to take the club forward and help with the financial situation at the time.
“As a fan like you, I have watched the season develop and been filled with enthusiasm on what has been promised that the right decisions were being made at the club.
“Paddy has now resigned and I’m left with the situation of stepping back in once again to ensure the future of our great club.
“I will now seek a meeting with the current board set up by Paddy to have immediate access to the current financial situation at the club so that we can review the current state of affairs. Once this is provided a full review will be completed and we will update the fans/sponsors/creditors immediately of the situation.
“Please bear with us during this transition period as this will take some time given my absence over the past 18 months. We are committed to ensuring the club has a bright future and also keeping you the fans updated.”
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A message from Mark Campbell
Since becoming the influential person at the club in 2006 I have consistently supported the club financially to ensure the club can continue to benefit the community.
As you are aware I took the decision to fully step back and hand control over to… pic.twitter.com/Vtp8Qfw43Y
— Featherstone Rovers (@FevRoversRLFC) September 24, 2025
