Young Dewsbury Moor Maroons star signs for Batley Bulldogs

Head coach James Ford has been busy compiling a squad he believes can compete in the new look Championship next year and is eyeing one for the future with young Felix Ellis, who arrives at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium after a spell playing in the National Conference League with neighbouring Dewsbury Moor.

Ellis will add depth to Ford's squad with his versatility potentially proving important as he can play on both wings as well as at centre and is also able to provide cover at full-back.

At 17, Felix, made a move to Australia for two years linking up with Berkeley Vale Panthers. Following this, he returned back to England, plying his trade at local amateur side Dewsbury Moor, where this year he picked up the club’s top try scorer, players’ player and coaches player of the year awards.

He will be joined by fellow newcomers Ben Reynolds, Robson Stevens, Evan Hodgson, Wesley Bruines, Jay Scriven, Liam Kirk and Kieran Brining at Batley next season as the squad has been freshened up for a new challenge under a new head coach.

Two of the Bulldogs’ established stars have also committed to the club for another year.

The long serving Michael Ward is heading into ninth year as a Bulldog after signing a new deal and will be aiming to add to the 175 appearances he has already made for the club since joining in 2018.

He is very much the impact sub with 168 of his games seeing him come off the bench.

Centre Oliver Greensmith is staying with the Batley club too after agreeing a new deal.

Greensmith was a consistent figure in the Bulldogs team in 2025, making 28 appearances and scoring four tries in his first season at the club following his move from neighbours Dewsbury Rams where he crossed the whitewash 19 times in 55 games.

He said: "I'm happy to have signed for my second year at the club and I'm hoping this year we can kick on and do a lot better than last year.”