And a current Knights assistant coach is said to be among the favourites to become his successor.
Ford left York for Wakefield Trinity in October 2022 after a transformative eight-year reign and took over the top job at Featherstone the following August.
Rovers, who currently sit sixth, won their opening match against Doncaster before suffering a 14-12 defeat at London Broncos on Sunday.
The club confirmed they had parted ways with Ford in a statement on Wednesday lunchtime, saying: “Featherstone Rovers can confirm that Head Coach James Ford has left the Club with immediate effect.
“We wish James all the best for the future and thank him for his hard work through a transitional period for the Club.
“Further announcements will be made shortly about the Club’s plans moving forward.”
Club Statement | Featherstone Rovers can confirm that Head Coach James Ford has left the Club with immediate effect.
We wish James all the best for the future and thank him for his hard work through a transitional period for the Club
Further announcements will be made shortly… pic.twitter.com/208okcY05l
— Featherstone Rovers (@FevRoversRLFC) February 26, 2025
Ford, 42, first moved to the Post Office Road club in a newly created Director of Rugby role before taking over at the helm following Sean Long’s shock sacking.
But his reign has not been without its tribulations.
Spending big, they won the 2023 League Leaders’ Shield at a canter before being well beaten by eventual promotion-winners London, whilst a run of six straight defeats – including the Knights’ first win at Post Office Road in 67 years – left many fans frustrated last time out.
Nonetheless, the club scraped into the play-offs, Sheffield Eagles’ shock defeat at relegated Dewsbury gifting them sixth place despite their final day loss at the LNER Community Stadium.
Featherstone have though undergone a significant off-season overhaul as they look to return to the Championship’s upper reaches, with Knights legend Will Jubb and rumoured target Carlos Tuimavave among those to have joined the West Yorkshire club for 2025.
Alongside his role in Mark Applegarth’s coaching staff, the 41-year-old also serves as Ireland head coach, and has played an influential role in brining both James Farrar and Jack Brown through the doors at the LNER during the off-season.
