RFL set tight deadline for Featherstone Rovers to find new owners after club goes into administration
Featherstone Rovers’ battle for survival has taken another turn with less than a week to find new owners after going into administration.
Rovers avoided being wound-up in the High Court when officially entering administration, but have been given a tight deadline to satisfy the Rugby League that they can be in a position to compete in the 2026 Betfred Championship.
The club has been placed in the hands of administrator Andrew Rosler, who has been tasked with managing Rovers’ affairs and overseeing interest from potential buyers ahead of a Friday deadline that has been imposed by the Rugby Football League.
In a social media statement the club said: “It is confirmed that following an application to court, Featherstone Rovers Rugby League Limited has today, 15th December 2025, been placed into administration.
"Andrew Rosler, insolvency practitioner of Ideal Corporate Solutions Limited, has been appointed administrator and will manage the business, affairs and assets of the company.
"One of the principal aims is to safeguard the future of the club and ensure that it can compete in the Championship in the forthcoming season.
"Given the proximity of the new season, the Rugby Football League have set a very tight timescale for all interested parties in acquiring the club (and to gain membership of the RFL) to deliver their initial submissions by 4pm on Friday, 19th December 2025. The RFL will then undertake a period of assessment and decision-making.
"The administrator requests that all such interested parties make contact immediately by email to [email protected]"
Rovers remain hopeful of competing in the 2026 season, but in a previous statement admitted that the company behind the club was “unable to trade its way out of the present situation due to the level of debt it currently has”.
Featherstone are believed to owe £120,000 in unpaid tax and have further debts, having struggled to meet wages after the departure of chairman Paddy Handley in September.
An RFL statement on Rovers 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.”