Featherstone Rovers chairman Paddy Handley pleased with recruitment ahead of 2025 season
The first full season under Handley’s leadership at Post Office Road will be the 2025 Championship, and he has contributed to the development of a team that appears capable of contending for awards.
With 30 new corporate partners on board and season ticket sales up, fans are supporting the quiet change being ushered in by the chairman, who succeeded longtime leader Mark Campbell in August.
Everything looks much brighter than 12 months ago when the club was beset with financial difficulties and had to oversee a huge change in their playing roster, which led to a more disappointing campaign in 2024.
“Season ticket sales are up from where we were last year – considerably up,” said Handley.
“Merchandise is flying off the shelves. I think this year it is really special with the theme we have put on the shirt.
“We’ve recruited really well. The team that James has put together, that we as a board, as a club and the sponsorships have managed to put together is very special.
However, it’s not just us that do it. Bradford has done a great job with their hiring, in my opinion.
Handley is not expecting any more new signings ahead of the new season.
He added: “It’s important they now settle down, which they are doing.
“It’s not just about recruiting well, it’s about having those players gel and work together so hence they were in a week earlier than other Championship clubs.
“It might not sound a lot, but having conversations with Cooky and Hardman they tell me they think they’re two weeks in front of where they would have expected as far as contacts and levels of skill.
“The two Aussie lads have settled in really well and I know the coaches and their teammates are really pleased with what’s come over.
“It’s a bit of an unknown entity at times. Will they fit in? How will they adapt to Yorkshire life? But they seem really settled.”
