Mark Campbell responds after Paddy Handley steps down as Featherstone Rovers chairman
Long-time Feathertone Rovers board member Mark Campbell has issued a statement following the decision of Paddy Handley to resign as chairman after he said it had become “impossible” to deliver his plans.
Former Featherstone player Handley promised a bright future for the club when he returned to Post Office Road to replace long-serving chairman Mark Campbell in August last year.
Rovers faced financial problems in 2024 and Handley – who had become a successful businessman since making 113 appearances for Fev from 1997 to 2000 – was brought on board to put that right and put a plan in place to deliver better on and off the field.
But problems have continued with a winding up order issued against the club and fire safety concerns forcing temporary closure of the Railway Stand at their Millennium Stadium.
Handley’s departure has now been confirmed with the publishing on social media of an open letter from him to Campbell, who remains on the Rovers board, and chief executive Martin Vickers.
It said: “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 rejoining 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.”
Campbell has responded with the following statement, also issued via social media: “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 bare 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.”
Featherstone have just come to the end of their 2025 season with elimination play-off defeat to Bradford Bulls.
Despite a poor start to the season that resulted in James Ford losing his job as head coach they also reached the 1895 Cup final at Wembley, only losing to York Knights by a golden point extra-time drop-goal.
After their play-off loss Paul Cooke, who took over from Ford, said he hoped to be able to get on with the job of putting a squad together for next year, but warned that there were some off the field issues that needed sorting.