demoted in 1995 to make way for the new "Super League". 1996–2006: Summer era and financial difficulties In 1996, the first tier of British rugby league clubs played the inaugural Super League season and changed from a winter to a summer season. When a Rupert Murdoch-funded Super League competition was proposed, part of the deal was that some traditional clubs would merge. Featherstone Rovers were asked to merge with local rivals Castleford and Wakefield Trinity to form a new club, Calder, which would compete in the Super League. Trinity's shareholders voted 2:1 in favour of a merger but Featherstone's members voted against by a large margin and this was resisted. In 1995 Rovers finished 11th in the 16-team First Division but were effectively relegated to make way for London Broncos and Paris Saint-Germain. They reached the semi finals of the Challenge Cup in 1995 before losing to Leeds 39–22. They finished 5th in the 1st Division of the centenary season of 1995–96, followed by 4th in the first summer season. A poor start to the 1997 season led Ward to offer his resignation, which the club reluctantly accepted. Steve Simms came in as coach and after finishing 7th in 1997, Featherstone went within a whisker of gaining Super League status in 1998. They were beaten 24–22 by neighbours Wakefield Trinity in the promotion-deciding inaugural First Division grand final. When it became apparent that funds would not be available to continue the push for Super League in 1999, Simms resigned. Assistant coach Kevin Hobbs took over; at the beginning of the 1999 season a new side had to be built. A decent start saw Rovers win five straight league games, but then lose the next three. After defeat at Doncaster, Kevin Hobbs quit his post, citing verbal abuse his family had received from some fans. Peter Roe was in charge of Featherstone from 1999 to October 2001, before leaving to take charge of Wakefield Trinity. Under him, Rovers finished 5th in 1999 and 2000 and 4th in 2001. He was replaced by his assistant Ian Fairhurst. After finishing 5th again, in November 2002, Featherstone went into administration, owing the Inland Revenue £97,000 and with total debts of £403,000. In September 2003, Andy Kelly's contract was not renewed following their failure to reach the National League One play-offs for the first time in six years, finishing 7th. Rovers again finished 5th in