BY JOHN DAVIDSON
Exclusive: Featherstone Rovers have been hit with a winding up petition over money owed to HMRC, as new financial problems for the Championship club emerge.
Featherstone was handed up the winding up petition earlier this month. It is unclear at this stage how much the club allegedly owes the tax office.
Rovers have been approached for comment today.
Earlier this year former Featherstone forward Elijah Taylor took the Championship club to court over several thousands of pounds he alleges they owe him.
The Kiwi alleged that Rovers owe him money for failure to cover medical treatment for an eye injury he suffered while playing for the club, and for failure to pay for his daughter’s visa. At the time, in late March, Featherstone CEO Martin Vickers denied Taylor’s claim.
However, in September Taylor filed for a request for judgment and reply to admission for the amount of £5.421.99. rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads has seen documents citing that Rovers have not filed an admission or a defence to Taylor’s claim.
Former Featherstone prop Samy Kibula has made allegations that the second division side owes him money from unpaid win bonuses from the 2024 season.
Other ex-Rovers players have previously taken the club to court over money owed to them, including Ryley Jacks and Ben Mathiou. Both won their cases.
Australian Bayley Gill, who played for Featherstone in 2022, has told rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads that he is still allegedly owed money from his time at the club three seasons ago.
Last year the Championship outfit faced a winding up order from Investec and also five county court judgments over unpaid debts.
The RFL has not responded to requests for comment from rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads.
In August this year, Featherstone was forced to close a stand and reduce its capacity at the Millennium Stadium until further notice by Wakefield Council and the emergency services because of serious health and safety concerns.
The club was ordered to conduct a temporary closure of the Railway Stand due to fire safety concerns, have a reduced capacity on the Post Office Terrace and a general reduction in overall capacity.
In a statement on August 22 Featherstone said: “Supporter safety is paramount for the Club. Therefore, we positively embrace the advice given to us by the Authorities. Meetings are planned to work with the appropriate agencies to ensure the necessary improvements are put in place to resolve these matters as quickly as possible.
“We apologise for any inconvenience which these short-term measures will cause our supporters.”