FEATHERSTONE ROVERS have been plunged into fresh turmoil by the resignation of chairman Paddy Handley.

The former player and now businessman says “varying agendas” have made it “impossible” to deliver his plans at the West Yorkshire club who have had a string of financial issues over the last decade and are facing a winding-up petition from HMRC.

Handley, 50, replaced long-serving Mark Campbell as chairman in August of last year, having joined the board two months earlier.

At that time, he spoke of “projects I would like to take forward for a bright future for Featherstone Rovers” and utilising a “considerable land base” around the Millennium Stadium.

However in a letter to director Campbell, who had been chairman since 2008, and chief executive Martin Vickers and published on the club’s social media, he wrote: “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.

“It is well documented the struggle the club has had in unlocking its assets (around six 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.”

Having parted company with coach James Ford two league games into this season, Featherstone reached the 1895 Cup final at Wembley then made the play-offs under Paul Cooke, but were beaten 28-8 in their elimination tie at Bradford.

Handley, who also played for Leeds, York and Doncaster, has proved successful in the construction industry and runs a York-based stone-cladding firm.