Brad Day The New Halifax Panthers Forward from Championship Rivals Featherstone Rovers

Right then, the Rugby League Championship season has barely kicked off, and the Halifax Panthers are already making moves. After a bit of a wobbly start to their campaign with an opening game defeat, it looks like they're wasting no time in beefing up their squad. And they've done it by snapping up a seriously experienced forward from one of their rivals. It’s a classic rugby league story: one team’s misfortune becomes another’s opportunity, and this time, Halifax are the ones making a clever addition.

Who is the new addition?

The new face set to join the Halifax Panthers squad is none other than Brad Day. If you follow the Championship, that name will definitely ring a bell. At 31, Day is a seasoned back-rower who has been a standout performer in this division for what feels like forever. Think of a back-rower as one of the team's main grafters – they do a massive amount of tackling and running, basically the hard yards that win you a game. Having a reliable player in that position is a massive boost for any club, especially one with ambitions like Halifax.

This move is a significant addition for the Panthers. Brad Day isn't just a squad filler; he’s a player with a long career built on consistent, high-level performances. He brings a ton of experience from his time with several well-known clubs, and after a tricky start to the season, his arrival could be just the ticket to get Kyle Eastmond’s team firing on all cylinders. This latest addition signals that the club is serious about building on last year's successes and making a real push during this campaign.

What's the story with Featherstone Rovers?

So, you might be wondering why a player like Brad Day was available in the first place, especially after the season has already started. Well, it’s a bit of a tough story for his former club, Featherstone Rovers. Day had actually signed a new long-term deal to stay with them, showing his commitment. But then, the club ran into major off-field issues and was ultimately refused membership by the Rugby Football League for this season.

Imagine your school's football team being told they can't play in the Saturday league anymore. Suddenly, all the players, even the star striker, are left without a team. That’s pretty much what happened here. This difficult situation for the Featherstone Rovers meant that a number of their contracted players, including Brad Day, were left without a club just as the new season was about to get underway. It's a rough situation for any player, but it also creates an unexpected opportunity for other teams to sign top talent. Players have been scrambling to find a new move, and Day is the latest to secure his future in the sport he loves, following others who have found a new home for the 2026 season.

What does this move mean for Halifax Panthers?

For the Halifax Panthers, this is a fantastic piece of business. They started their season with a 19-12 defeat to Doncaster on 20th January 2026, which wasn't the ideal beginning, especially after their pre-season game against Rochdale was called off. But instead of letting it get them down, they've made a positive move to strengthen their squad. Bringing in a forward like Brad Day adds some serious steel and firepower to their pack. It's a statement that they're looking to bounce back straight away.

This isn't the only recent addition either. The club also announced the arrival of Leon Cowen on loan from Super League giants St Helens last week. When you add these two to a squad that already includes exciting signings like Catalans Dragons back Tanguy Zenon and Serbia’s international halfback, Jesse Soric, you can see what coach Kyle Eastmond is building. He’s putting together a squad with a great mix of experience and fresh talent. Day’s move adds another layer of depth and know-how, which will be vital over a long and demanding Championship season. This strategic addition shows a clear plan to build a competitive team for the current campaign.

A look at Brad Day's career

Brad Day's career speaks for itself. He has been a consistent and reliable performer in the **Championship** for more than ten years. That's a long time to be playing at the top end of such a tough and physical competition. Throughout his extensive career, he has represented several clubs, making a name for himself at each one.

He's had notable spells with the Batley Bulldogs, where he was a key part of their pack, and also spent time with Newcastle Thunder, helping them during their time in the division. His most recent club was, of course, Featherstone Rovers, where he was a cornerstone of their forward line. Here’s a quick look at his impressive record:

Making 178 appearances shows incredible durability and commitment to the sport of rugby league. And scoring 63 tries from the forward pack is nothing to scoff at – it shows he has an eye for the try-line and can provide that extra attacking spark. This impressive career history demonstrates that the Halifax Panthers have signed a proven winner and a player who knows exactly what it takes to succeed in this league. This move is a clear signal of their intent for the rest of the season.