In addition to three of their 2024 players signing new contracts, Featherstone Rovers has unveiled six further additions to their playing staff for the 2025 Championship season.
The Rovers have been working hard to make sure their starting team is stronger than what they were able to assemble for the 2024 campaign, when budgetary limitations left them shorthanded and exposed to injuries.
Even if they did make it to the playoffs, it meant that their season was somewhat of a stop-start.
However, things appear to be very different for the upcoming season. Fev has already announced six potentially exciting new players from both domestic and foreign countries, in addition to five important players from the previous campaign who have committed to the team once more: captain Danny Addy, half-back Ben Reynolds, full-back Caleb Aekins, hooker Connor Jones, and winger Connor Wynne.
Now they have taken their confirmed squad to 20 players with announcements made in the last week.
Josh Hardcastle, a long-time utility, and strikers Brad Day and Jimmy Beckett are staying with the team.
Calum Turner, a former versatile back for the Castleford Tigers who previously spent time on loan at Fev, is one of the new additions.
Turner returns to Post Office Road on a one-year contract having playing for them in 2019 while still at Cas. The 25-year-old played for Newcastle for a year before joining the Dewsbury Rams, where he has excelled in the last two seasons.
He stated, “I’m delighted to be coming back to Featherstone, I loved my time here before and I jumped at the chance to come back,” in reference to his transfer to Rovers.
“Over the past two years at Dewsbury, I’ve learnt a lot and improved my rugby skills, and I’m excited to bring those skills to Rovers and support the team in reaching its objectives.
“I can’t wait to get started because Fordy is assembling a fantastic team for next year, and I’m more motivated than ever to step up my game.”
Bailey O’Connor, a 22-year-old centre on a two-year contract, is also coming from Dewsbury.
O’Connor joined Dewsbury as a trialist in 2023 and has since developed into a gifted up-and-coming outside back over the past two seasons, including scoring six tries in this year’s Rams Championship campaign.
“I’m really looking forward to a new challenge at Featherstone, but it’s been a great two years at Dewsbury, and I’ll always be grateful for them giving me my opportunity at this level,” he added.
I still have a lot to learn, but I’m excited to jump in and step up my game because it’s a club with a long history and as much ambition as I do.
My goals are to get to the club, get the respect of Fordy, the boys, and the supporters, and secure a spot in the squad every week. I’ll support myself to have an influence on this side, and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish by 2025.
On a one-year contract, 25-year-old centre Jayden Hatton has arrived from the Swinton Lions.
With nearly 100 games played and 16 tries at the end of the previous season, he knows his way to the line and will be a fierce competitor in his position.
“Everyone who plays in the Championship knows how good Featherstone are as a club, and I’m delighted to be able to play for them,” he stated in an interview with the club’s website next year
“I’ve enjoyed my time at Swinton, but I couldn’t pass up the chance to play for Fev when it presented itself.
“I can’t wait to run out in front of the devoted supporters because the club has so much ambition and the squad they’re assembling is so exciting.”
Jordan Williams, a seasoned forward, has signed a 12-month contract with Featherstone after previously playing for the London Broncos.
The Stevenage native, 27, will provide James Ford’s pack rotation more depth after making an impression with the Broncos in the Championship and Super League.
“I’ve spent most of my career around the London area, so to come up north and play my rugby in the heartland of the sport will be a different experience and one I’m very much looking forward to,” he commented.
“I learned a lot from the 2024 season in Super League and I feel like my best rugby is still ahead of me, I’m keen to give my all to the boys and the fans week in week out.”
Fev have strengthened their hooker position with the addition on a one-year deal of Will Jubb from York.
Jubb played Super League with Hull Kr before establishing himself as one of the leading dummy-halves in the Championship in almost 150 games for York.
He told the club website: “I’ve absolutely loved my time at York, but I’m looking forward to a new challenge and linking up with Fordy again.
“Featherstone have always been a powerhouse in the Championship and I’ve played in some big clashes with them over the years, it’ll be nice to play with them next year in front of their passionate and vocal fans.
“I can’t wait to start pre-season and earn the respect of the players, I’m certain that we can push to challenge in 2025 which is exciting.”
Highly rated 22-year-old prop Robson Stevens completes the new additions after agreeing a one-year contract.
After coming through the junior ranks at Huddersfield Giants he briefly played for Dewsbury then went down under where he has spent the last two years playing for Mackay Cutters in the Queensland Cup.
Stevens will add some vital firepower to the pack following the retirement of Nathan Massey and said: “I’ve taken so much from my time in Australia but I’m ready to head home and take on a new challenge and Featherstone provides me with the perfect opportunity to do that.
“My time with Mackay was great but I’ve definitely still got plenty to learn and I’m looking forward to working with James Ford and what is a really talented squad at Fev.
“Growing up in West Yorkshire I know how passionate and vocal the Blue Wall fans are, I’m excited to play in front of them next year.”
Head coach James Ford is pleased to see his squad taking shape and on the new signings, he said: “Calum has the potential to really kick on and establish himself as a quality half-back.
“He is quick, evasive, carry’s a good left footed kicking game and has a good pass selection. He is competing with some quality players for a spot in our 17 and I can’t wait to watch this unfold.
“Bailey had some very impressive moments in a struggling side. We’re confident he has plenty of improvement in him and he’s already showing he’s up for fight to establish himself as a top championship outside back.
“He’s still very early in his career but has all the assets of an outstanding centre, I have no doubt he’s going to excel in our environment, bring the best out of himself and those around him which is exactly what we’re looking for as we look to make big strides in 2025.
“Jayden had a great year for Swinton in 2025 and certainly caught our eye when we played against him this year.
“Jayden will be competing against some quality outside backs for a spot in our 17 and he’s really excited by the challenge.
“Jordan is a big man who has plenty of punch in his carry, runs quality lead lines and clearly values ruck tempo. Defensively he has aggressive initial contact and tidy wrestle, we’re all confident he will be a good addition to squad.”
Ford added: “I enjoyed coaching Will at York and I’m very confident he’ll have a similar impact at Featherstone. He will help us set and drive standards across all forms of our preparation that are needed to be successful.
“As a player he has outstanding service from dummy-half and is one of the best defensive hookers in the competition. His challenge, which I know he’ll face head on is to become the best defensive hooker in the competition.
“Robson is a talented young player who we all believe has plenty of development left in him.
“He has heavy initial contact and good attention to detail regards his tackle management. I’m really looking forward to working with him and watching him compete for a place in our top 17.”
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