Rugby league’s best April Fool’s Day including rebrands, Mike Ford and cheeky Featherstone

Josh McAllister
RL April Fool's Day

Photos by Ben Roberts/News Images & Mike Egerton/PA Archive/PA Images.

It’s April 1, and that means media teams across the sport of rugby league have delved into the April Fool’s Day pranks. Here’s a look at some of the best from this morning…

Cheeky Featherstone

Featherstone would have been at the top of the list to have made an April Fool’s Day joke ahead of the big day, and their media team delivered.

A ‘groundbreaking new triple registration partnership’ with local Yorkshire rivals Castleford and Wakefield.

A spokesperson for the Rovers commented: “With Easter just around the corner, it is important that we use this time of year to look at those less fortunate than ourselves.

“We’re confident that we have the quality within our ranks to bolster both Super League sides as well as maintaining our form in the Betfred Championship.”

“We appreciate that some of our fans will be surprised by this announcement, we’d ask those supporters to take note of today’s date.”

Funny!

Rochdale Manchester Hornets

This one from Rochdale Hornets has fooled a few, announcing their rebrand to Rochdale Manchester Hornets, as well as a move to Etihad Campus.

Of course, chairman Andy Mazey previously held plans to rebrand Swinton Lions to Manchester Lions in an attempt to ‘attract bigger crowds and more sponsors’.

That fell through though, and Mazey and some of his board of directors then took the reigns at League 1’s Rochdale Hornets.

Well played, Rhinos

‘What noise does a Rhino make?’

This one got a laugh…

Extended M62?

Good attempt here from rugby league’s newest professional team, Cornwall RLFC.

Keighley x IMG

April 1 provided Keighley another chance for Keighley to have a dig at IMG’s latest proposals.

The Championship side tweeted: “REBRAND! After consultation, we have decided to merge with our fellow Yorkshire clubs in the hunt to increase our catchment area and gain two extra points in IMG’s grading system. Therefore we are now known as ‘Yorkshire Puddings’ – GO PUDDINGS!”

Although, someone should have double checked their spelling of Yorkshire!

Mike Ford returning to action?

Oldham joked that legend Mike Ford is set to return to action for the 2023 season.

Ford, 57, and local businessman Mick Harrington are leading a group that have recently successfully purchased the League 1 club.

“Must have” fashion item

I know someone from the office who would probably wear these…

Seen any others? Let us know your favourites in the comments below. 

Championship Featherstone Rovers