HALIFAX PANTHERS forward Ben Forster says fans are playing a key role in the resurgence of a team mothballed when the previous version of the club were liquidated in early February.
It was an unexpected development which left the whole of Rugby League, of which Halifax were founder members in 1895, reeling and put in major doubt the future of the professional game in the West Yorkshire town renowned for its links with both versions of the oval-ball sport.
While Panthers players became free agents after RFL membership was revoked, Forster, who had started his second spell at The Shay in late October after leaving Oldham, played the waiting game.
And he duly lined up in Kyle Eastmond’s side when a return to action was confirmed following the approval of a new board led by chairman Martyn Buchan.
That was on the condition of a twelve-point deduction, but that has been chipped away at after a 42-4 home defeat by London Broncos was followed by victories over North Wales Crusaders (50-22 at home) and Salford (28-22 away).
With Halifax having beaten Batley 28-10 at home before liquidation, the basement side are now on minus six points, with a home meeting against Oldham on Sunday approaching.
Secondrow Forster, 25, a Saddleworth Rangers product who has also been with Rochdale and failed to make the Halifax first team in his first spell at the club in 2023, said: “The fans have been great.
“They travelled in good numbers to Salford and really got behind us. We made hard work of it, to be fair, but we got there in the end and it’s another win on the board.”
The Panthers held a fans’ forum last week, with director Adam Butterfield explaining: “We are not wanting to hide behind anything.
“We want to be a big family once again. Our main aim is to bring back the togetherness between the rugby club and the town.”