Kendal Rugby Union Football Club has confirmed nine further playing changes as preparations continue for the 2026/27 season, with four players returning, four new arrivals announced and a fifth signing still being kept under wraps.
The club’s update was announced on 23 August 2026 and updated on 24 August. Alongside the squad news, Kendal confirmed that Abby Alexander and Dan Stephens had joined the club’s board, adding changes off the field to the preparations for the new campaign.
Four players agree to return
Andy Rogers, Joe Anderson, Dev Coyle and Dini Noyo have all agreed to re-sign for Kendal. Rogers is recovering from an operation, and the club hopes he will be able to return to the team in the New Year.
The four renewals follow Kendal’s earlier confirmation that 13 players would remain with the club. That group includes Aaron Stephens, Alfie Bradshaw, Barney Coxon, Ben Dixon, Ben O’Halloran, Dan Shorrock, Dane Blenkharn, Glenn Chesher, Luke Atkinson, Matty Houghton, Ollie Rose, Oscar Coxon and Patrick Wolstenholme.
Ben Dixon will captain Kendal for a third season. His continued appointment provides leadership continuity while the wider squad is being assembled.
New arrivals include familiar face
Prop Finn Kennedy is joining after making 35 appearances for Carlisle across the past two seasons.
Angus Knight, a hooker who previously played junior rugby for Kendal, is also returning after representing Kirkby Lonsdale. The announcement links him with Syston, Thanet Wanderers, Loughborough and Kirtstall, although available records differ over parts of his recent playing history.
Front-row player Arran Sulivan arrives from Aspatria, while Zane Butler is returning from New Zealand. Butler previously played for Kendal and made his debut during the 2008/09 season.
He has scored 36 tries in 92 appearances for the club and was part of Kendal’s promotion-winning 2015/16 side. Butler missed that season’s final match after breaking his leg against Leigh.
Fifth signing remains undisclosed
The identity of the fifth new arrival has not yet been announced. Kendal is expected to publish further player names as details are confirmed, but the complete 2026/27 line-up is not currently available to supporters.
For Kendal fans, the latest update means the club has now provided more detail on its playing plans while leaving one new recruit still to be revealed. The board appointments also mark an organisational change as the club works towards the start of the new campaign.