Local politicians that serve the areas in and around Featherstone have come together, after the Rovers were denied entry to the 2026 Championship competition.
Following the news that the RFL had opted against letting Featherstone compete in this season’s reformed second tier, it means that for the first time in 0ver a century, there will be no Fev-based side in the rugby league pyramid.
The decision has not been taken lightly, with fans of all clubs, as well as opposition teams and other key people in the sport showing their sympathy to those involved at the club.
Now, both local MPs and councillors have publicly confirmed their support for the club, and hope that they can return to the competition in the near future, as we have seen with Salford RLFC this off-season.
First, Jon Trickett, the Labour MP for Hemsworth and Normanton, the constituency that covers Featherstone, said on X this weekend: “I am very disappointed by the news that Featherstone Rovers have been thrown out of the Championship. I am supporting the club and hope there is a solution to the current problems. I will post more updates as we get them.”
That was followed by Wakefield Councillors Scott Haslam, Maureen Tennant-King and Steve Vickers releasing a joint statement. They said:
“We are horrified by the announcement by the RFL to deny our beloved club entry to the 2026 Championship season. We understand the heritage that Featherstone Rovers has and how it represents our community.”
“Since the announcement that Featherstone Rovers had entered administration, we have been monitoring developments and alternative model of ownership and running of the club must take centre stage. A club from the community, by the community.”
“We particular welcome the comments of support from neighbouring clubs, such as Hunslet RLFC. Rest assured we will act accordingly and will call a public meeting in due course.”
Check out the latest episode of The Serious About Rugby League Show on our YouTube channel here.
Our statement on Featherstone Rovers 👇@king_cllr @jon_trickett #utr pic.twitter.com/TvsImoZiJC
— Scott Haslam (@HaslamOriginal) January 10, 2026
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John Dalton
January 11, 2026 at 12:39 pm
It is cold hard cash that is the difference here. Sympathy does not come into the equation. It may be that we all show it, but it is still not cash, no matter how you dress it up. You can’t just have a whip around, this is an ongoing problem and either of three possibilities exist :-
1 – Someone/some group of people, come together & chuck their money away, or
2 – Someone/some group of people, run it sensibly, with no frills & no extras, or
3 – It goes the way of the dodo.
Nobody, but nobody wants the JOKE of Salford Red Devils again!