The RFL have released a brief statement in the aftermath of Championship club Featherstone Rovers starting the process of going into administration.
The financially-burdened Yorkshire club have been staving off HMRC for much of 2025 and it was recently confirmed that their HMRC hearing had been adjourned once again, as they waited to enter administration.
An initial statement, issued on December 9th, outlined the club’s decision to enter administration, admitting that they were ‘unable to trade it’s way out of the present situation, due to the level of debt’.
That statement also confirmed that they had applied for an Administration Order and the RFL have now made comment on that, confirming that the courts have approved that order meaning Featherstone Rovers are officially in administration.
With the Championship season just a month away, it’s unclear what will happen next, and more concerning is the fact that Rovers are not the only side in this situation with Salford Red Devils also wound up following their well-documented struggles of 2025.
Featherstone Rovers granted Administration Order
The RFL have begun discussions with prospective owners groups for Salford whilst Featherstone had seemingly sought a sale with the club listed on Middleton Barton Asset Valuation Limited, a property and assets website.
The deadline for expressions of interest was today, Monday, 15th December, at 12pm.
Also released today is the statement from the RFL confirming that Rovers have had their Administration Order approved with dialogue open and an RFL board meeting about Featherstone already organised.
That statement read: “The RFL is aware of the Courts decision to approve the Administration Order and the appointment of an Administrator with immediate effect – with whom dialogue has already begun.
“The Board of the RFL will meet to consider all options later this week.”
It remains unclear what courses of action could be taken because unlike Salford, no expressions of investment have been made public.
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