Former Leeds Rhinos player and successful businessman invests in Featherstone Rovers – Total Rugby League

Former Leeds Rhinos and Featherstone Rovers player Paddy Handley will join the Featherstone Rovers Board with immediate effect as the club’s vice-chairman.

Handley, a former Rovers player, had a successful four-year playing career at the club from 1997 when he was signed by David Ward, going on to make 113 appearances for Rovers.

Playing alongside Featherstone stalwarts such as Deryck Fox and Brendan Tuuta, midfielder Handley amassed over 100 points during his distinguished spell with Rovers. He also represented Leeds Rhinos, York and Doncaster in his playing career.

Handley is now managing director of PMJ Masonry, a business based in York, where he has established a thriving company with an unrivaled reputation in the building industry nationally as a market leader in the natural stone trade.

“I am incredibly honored to be joining Mark Campbell and the board at Rovers,” said Handley.

“Rover is a very special club to me and when I was aware that Mark was looking to strengthen the Board I was very keen to come on board. I know the club has had a challenging few months but I am very confident with my introduction and potentially other new Board members in the near future we will quickly get the club back to where it needs to be as a leading club in the game.

“I want to be clear that I am not here to make up the numbers. I am seriously committed to making a difference at the club and have ambitious plans to make immediate improvements to the stadium, particularly in terms of the Post Road terrace and a massive overhaul of the players’ facilities, including the changing rooms.

“Featherstone has a great platform to build on. Owning every inch of its 20 acre site, it is one of the best supported clubs in the game, both home and away. In terms of performance, we have always been top of the table, challenging for promotion. I’ve been to recent games and I love the energy around the fans and the stadium and I really want to make a difference in taking the club forward on and off the pitch.

“I have met Mark as well as the current and potential new Board members and feel a real energy around the group to drive the Club forward in areas such as stadium improvements, marketing and events, technology and retail. I am really pleased that the Club is moving forward.”

Rovers chairman Mark Campbell added: “In recent announcements we have made it clear that the club is looking for energetic new board members, people with a real passion for the club, and Paddy fits the bill.

“In the short time I have worked with Paddy, it is clear that he has spoken and has already been a great help to me and Steve Clough in his support of the club. I truly believe that with the addition of Paddy we can continue our journey of improvement and I am very excited about some of the proposed changes to the club in the immediate future.”

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