AFTER going into administration and being subject to an 11th-hour rescue bid, the 124-year-old Featherstone Rovers have been refused admission to the Championship this year.
In a sad but perhaps inevitable development, the second tier draw for 2026 will be rejigged to compensate for their absense.
The full RFL statement reads: “The Rugby Football League (RFL) can confirm that Featherstone Rovers have not been granted RFL Membership or entry into the 2026 Betfred Championship.
“The club fell into administration in December and the one submission received to take ownership of the club has not met the required governance criteria and RFL Membership has been denied.
“The RFL will continue to work with the administrator and remains committed to supporting a sustainable return of professional rugby league in the town of Featherstone moving forward.
“The 2026 Betfred Championship Season opens on Friday 16 January. All Featherstone Rovers fixtures will now be settled using the win percentage system as used during the Covid pandemic.
“The RFL is acutely aware of the financial impact to member clubs of losing a home fixture. Accordingly, it will ensure that some level of compensation is made available to all clubs suffering the loss of a home fixture.”
Because some clubs will have more games than others in the Championship, positions will be assigned on a win percentage basis.
Fev won three Challenge Cups and lifted the Championship in 1977.