Featherstone Rovers director Hamilton explains his position and 2026 plans for ground

Chris Hamilton posted a statement to social media in which he went into detail on plans for 2026 now that there will be no first team men’s matches at the stadium.

He confirmed that he is in negotiation with the RFL to ensure the Featherstone Rovers Women’s team will be able to play at the ground this year after securing promotion to the Super League and that U19s matches can also take place at the ground.

Events are also going on at the clubhouse with the facilities available.

Hamilton explained: “In response to some obvious confusion at the present time, I can confirm that following the RFL decision to deny membership and entry into the Championship for 2026, it left many things up in the air.

"One of the biggest issues to be resolved was the stadium. Shortly after the club went into administration a short-term licence was negotiated with the administrator for Rovers 2026 Ltd which was our new company to take over the running of the club if the RFL approved membership.

"This ensured that we were ready to go with everything in place for the start of the season especially as it became clear we were the sole bidder.

"Following the RFL decision, the administrator had to consider whether to lock the gates and secure the ground to avoid incurring unnecessary costs, to the detriment of the club's creditors. A stadium is an expensive thing to run especially at this time of year.

In order to avoid that and in particular to enable people using the stadium to continue to do so, I took the decision to extend the licence, which enables Rovers 2026 Ltd to occupy the premises, pay a small rent but be liable for all of the running costs whilst in occupation and to effectively 'keep the lights on.'

"This means substantial costs will be incurred over the next few months whilst there is no men's team.

"What it does do, however, is enable the Foundation to be secure and to continue their fantastic work, which is even more important right now. It also enables the women's team to be able to play their matches at the ground (I am currently in dialogue with the RFL to have this confirmed) and the U19s to play their matches also.

"In addition, the clubhouse and its facilities can also be used for daytime meetings with local organisations and businesses and functions booked at night can go ahead.”

On where the money raised is going, Hamilton added: “No money is going to the administrator (other than the small rent) and no money is going to Mark Campbell, which a lot of people seem to think.

“It is important for me to confirm that since coming back to the club Mark has invested significant amounts of time and money into keeping the club going post the end of the season as we tried, albeit in vain, to get the club’s membership for the 2026 season.

"In fact Mark has paid for all the replica stock in the club shop and behind the bar, amongst other things. At no point has he asked for that money back.

"In addition, due to the nature of the requirements from the RFL in respect of separation from the old club, Mark complied with that and as a result I am now the sole director and person with significant control of Rovers 2026 Ltd. In addition, and again for clarity, Mark has now closed Rovers Events and Rovers Retail Ltd.

"I never came to Featherstone to have that responsibility, but as soon as I got involved, I realised the full extent of this club within the community and therefore took on that mantle.

"My role right now, and being honest, how long that lasts is very uncertain given the financial challenges ahead for the next few months, is to do my damnedest to make sure that once the future of this historic club is settled, regardless of me or being involved or not, is to ensure that we continue to have a stadium and facilities that are the envy of many clubs in the game.”