The Phantom Horseman

I think to be honest we as fans got kind of spoiled because for a period of 15 years we were one of the top two teams in the division more often than not. Even in 2022 and 2023 when we had very powerful championship teams and were often winning by big scores there wasn't quite the same wild enthusiasm amongst the fans that you might have expected. I think since we missed out on promotion in 2023 a lot of fans just lost interest with SL obviously off the table for the forseeable future. We had a really entertaining team with lots of likeable players in 2025 but some of the home crowds were really sparse. The hardcore will be there for sure and as has been said we'll probably get a big gate for the first game back (assuming we do come back!), but with the state of the Championship at the moment the days of regularly getting 2.5k-3k are probably gone. The most important thing is that we actually survive.

You would imagine that we'll be on the minimum £250k salary cap initially too.

Do you mean any new bids to run the club? If so, the deadline for applications was September 30th, and you'd presume that discussions between the RFL and the applicants are quite advanced by now.

It seems to be very complicated and is probably the main reason why the issue has been dragged out so long. It stems back to an AGM in October 2018 and revolves around a company called RVL developments. The Administrator referred to this on page 7 of his last report, which can be found by clicking on the top link ("Administrator's Progess Report") at https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/03165021/filing-history

Well, that seems promising. The idea of the ground being owned by parties with the club's interests broadly in mind would be a big boost.

I think we're all at St Thomases at this stage, praying.

Well I'll agree with one thing in this post, that would be controversial

Yes, I think we discussed that previously when Chris Hamilton replaced Mark Campbell both as director and person with significant control just before Christmas last year. The question I was asking was, if the RFL presumably knew that all along, why did they ask for a bond?

Martyn Sadler on the main forum: "I'm being told to expect some positive news on Monday."

Yes, but even then, there seemed to beat least a pathway to acceptance - remember that Abi Ekoku, who at the time was the RFL CEO, confirmed that they had asked for a bond, and when asked whether it was offered said "Not in an acceptable form", which suggests that they were at least considering their application rather than denying it outright on the basis of the rules. https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/rugby-football-league-ceo-explains-featherstone-rovers-rejection

Given we have no concrete information about what Mr Ellis's intentions are towards the Featherstone situation, if any, we don't need in-depth discussions about Walton Lane, who wants to do what to Walton Lane, whose dog might do a dump there etc. Take that to a different thread, please.

If people want to talk about Wakefield's training base, or have a difference of opinion between Wakefield and Cas supporters, please can they set up a different thread as this has now gone a long way away from discussing any potential interest Matt Ellis may or may not have in Featherstone Rovers. Thank you.

It's over 3 years ago that I first highlighted this, amongst other things that I thought people hadn't quite grasped at the time, on here.

Possibly, though you can apply for an exemption to that rule. "Any person who is subject to a Disqualifying Condition has the right to ask for an exemption from the prohibition on becoming/remaining an Influential Person at a Club. Any application for an exemption shall set out the grounds for such application. The Board has absolute discretion in granting any such exemption (and shall take into account such factors as it considers appropriate) and may make it subject to such terms and conditions as it considers appropriate. In determining whether to grant such an exemption, and the terms of any such exemption, the Board shall consider the Fit and Proper Purpose."

Journalist John Davidson has published an article today on rugbyleaguehub.com stating that the process is now down to two bidders but confirming via an interview with RFL Commercial director Rhodi Jones that as Jones states "It's not simple; it's complicated, it's complex", because of the difficulties in marrying up ownership of the land and running the club. I think people shouldn't underestimate the complexities of sorting out the land ownership, every indication we have, including from both of the administrator's previous updates, suggest that it's that rather, than whether or not we have a suitable bid for the club, that has been holding things up. He names "Paddy Hanley" (sic) and "Dean Chumley" (sic) as the two leaders/frontpeople of the bids. Dean Cholmondeley is the head of XTL security who I believe have been in charge of security etc at Fev in recent years and also have been sponsors, notably of the women's team (who they continue to sponsor). There is some other interesting stuff in the article but it's behind a paywall and thus not considered acceptable to cut and paste, but I'll post the link anyway in case people want to subscribe. https://www.rugbyleaguehub.com/fev-license-down-to-two-bidders/