“Varying agendas” – rugby league chairman steps down with strong statement made and club in crisis

Featherstone Rovers have confirmed the departure of chairman, Paddy Handley, after 18 months in his role at the club.

In what has been a turbulent year and a half for the former Leeds Rhinos player, his short time at the West Yorkshire club has come to an end, as he issued a strong statement highlighting the key reasons for his exit.

Joining the club fully in August of last year, Handley replaced long-serving Mark Campbell, and along with a group of individuals, looked to solve the off-field issues facing the club.

However, things have not gone to plan for 50-year-old, who also represented the Rovers as a player in the 1990s, with the club still suffering financial issues, with tax bills thought to be a huge amount, as per Rugby League Hub.

The club were faced with a winding up order earlier this month, with former players taking them to court over missed payments. They were also forced to close one of their four stands at the stadium, with fire safety concerns from Wakefield Council the key reason. All these added together summarise the state the club is currently in, and it doesn’t look to be getting any better any time soon.

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Rugby league chairman sends damning message with resignation statement

Addressed to CEO Martin Vickers and Campbell, who re-joined the club earlier this year as a director, Handley’s statement reads in full:

“It is with a heavy heart I write to inform you both that I am stepping down as Featherstone Rovers chairman with immediate effect

“I would like to thank most of the fans, most of the players and all of the sponsors, staff and board members who have made me feel welcome and shown true support from the start of my short journey when re-joining the club 18 months ago.

“It is well documented the struggle the club has had in unlocking its assets (around 6 million) but while there are varying agendas in control, it has made it impossible for me to deliver my plans.

“My hope for the club’s future is that you both work together and save the club, I believe there is still hope but while my plans clash with others, the club can’t move forward.”

𝗣𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗬 𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗟𝗘𝗬 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝗖𝗘𝗢 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗗𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗥

Martin/Mark,

It is with a heavy heart I write to inform you both that i am stepping down as Featherstone Rovers chairman with immediate effect.
I would like to thank… pic.twitter.com/wAy4aEMAUK

— Featherstone Rovers (@FevRoversRLFC) September 23, 2025