Rugby League Club Featherstone Rovers Welcomes Former Player Paddy Handley to Board of Directors
Featherstone Rovers, a prominent team in the Rugby League Championship, has faced a tumultuous 2024 season. After narrowly missing out on promotion last year, the club has been embroiled in several off-field issues, including disputes over unpaid agents’ fees and a winding-up petition from an asset finance firm. These off-field challenges have undoubtedly impacted the team’s on-field performance, with Featherstone currently sitting in fourth place in the league standings with six wins from their opening 10 games.
Paddy Handley Joins the Board
However, the club has now announced a significant update to their board, with the appointment of former Leeds and Featherstone winger Paddy Handley as a new director. Handley, now the Managing Director of PMJ Masonry, spent four years playing for Featherstone after coming through the youth setup at Leeds. In his statement, Handley expressed his deep connection to the club and his excitement to join the board, stating,
“Rovers are a very special Club for me and when I was made aware that Mark was looking to strengthen the Board, I was very keen to jump on board.”
Handley’s appointment is seen as a positive step for the club, as he brings both his expertise and a genuine passion for Featherstone Rovers. He has already outlined ambitious plans to improve the club’s stadium and player facilities, indicating his commitment to driving the team forward both on and off the pitch.
“I’m seriously committed to making a difference at the Club and I have ambitious plans to make immediate stadium improvements, most notably in terms of the Post Office Road terrace and in a massive overhaul of the player facilities including changing rooms,” Handley said.
Ambitious Plans for the Club’s Future
Featherstone’s current chairman, Mark Campbell, who recently announced his plans to step down once the club’s cashflow issues are resolved, expressed his hope that Handley’s appointment will help to re-energize the club and move them forward from their recent challenges.
“I genuinely believe that with the addition of Paddy, we can continue our journey of improvement and I’m very excited about some of the proposed changes at the Club in the immediate future,” Campbell stated.
The inclusion of Paddy Handley on the Featherstone Rovers board represents a significant step in the club’s efforts to address their recent issues and position themselves for success in the coming seasons. Rugby league enthusiasts will eagerly await further updates on the club’s progress and the impact of this new addition to the leadership team.
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