FEATHERSTONE ROVERS’ former captain Danny Addy admitted he is “absolutely gutted” that the club will play no part in the Championship – and hopes they will be back.

The club, which fell into administration in December, have been denied entry to the Championship this season after the RFL deemed a prospective ownership group headed by Mark Campbell did not meet the required governance criteria.

It is a bitter blow to players including Addy, who made 58 appearances in two seasons with Featherstone including leading them out at Wembley in the 1895 Cup final last June.

“(I’m) absolutely gutted that my time at Featherstone Rovers has come to an end – not in the way that anyone would have wanted,” Addy wrote on social media.

“Apart from the last few months which have been well documented, I have enjoyed every minute at Fev and it’s been an absolute honour to captain this great club. Such a sad day for the players, staff, fans and community.

“I honestly hope that one day Fev will be back with a bang and wish everyone nothing but the best, and hope they can come back and rebuild.”

Josh Hardcastle, a stalwart at Rovers since 2017 with 196 games under his belt, also shared his sadness at the club’s fate.

He said: “It’s been a real rollercoaster. Having been a fan as a kid going home and away, to playing nine seasons for my hometown club, it has been a real privilege.”

Hardcastle said Featherstone’s removal would be the “league’s loss”, considering their strong fanbase which he hailed.

“Not only your support on the field, but after my stroke (in 2023) the financial support and help I received will always be most appreciated at a time when we needed it the most,” he added.