Castleford Tigers Explained

Clubname:Castleford Tigers
Fullname:Castleford Tigers Rugby League Football Club
Nickname:Classy Cas
You Fords
Tigers
The Glassblowers
Short Name:Cas
Colours:Black and Amber
Capacity:10,500
Chairman:Ian Fulton
Position:11th
Current:2024 Castleford Tigers season
Cup1:Challenge Cups
Cup1titles:4
Cup2:Other honours
Cap:613
Points:1,870
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The Castleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club in Castleford, West Yorkshire, England. They play their home games at Wheldon Road, also known as The Jungle, and compete in the Super League, the top flight of the British rugby league system.

Castleford have won the Challenge Cup on four occasions, most recently in 1986. Although the club has never won a League Championship, they have been runners up three times and finished as League Leaders in 2017.

The club has rivalries with neighbours Featherstone Rovers, Leeds Rhinos and Wakefield Trinity. The club's traditional home colours are black and amber, with orange also being used in recent years.

History

1896–1906: First Castleford club

Castleford RFC joined the Northern Rugby Football Union for the 1896–97 season, its second and remained in the ranks of the semi-professionals until the end of the 1905–06 season. Not much is known about the original Castleford club, except that they have no connection with the present Castleford Tigers RLFC.

1926–1950s: Establishment of second club

Castleford joined the league for the 1926–27 season.[1] Many official records state that they were founded at this time but they had played successfully in the lower Yorkshire County Cup for several years before this date. They actually joined the League "code" around 1920 and played in these early years at the Sandy Desert ground, which is now used by amateur club Castleford Lock Lane youth and junior teams. The club went professional in 1926 and moved to their current home ground on Wheldon Road in 1927.

The club soon started to make a mark on northern rugby, winning their first major trophy when they topped the Yorkshire League in 1932, followed by victory in the Challenge Cup in 1935. In 1938, they made it to the Championship finals, but failed to take the cup. The Second World War meant the league was suspended soon after, and Castleford officially abstained from league competition until the 1944–45 season.

1960–1972: Success

Castleford finished fourth in the national league in the 1962/63 season. The following season they lost 7–5 to Widnes in the Challenge Cup semi-final replay at Belle Vue, Wakefield in front of a 28,700 crowd after drawing at Station Road, Swinton in the first meeting of the two clubs. Under the direction of coach George Clinton, Castleford won many fans in the '60s by playing an open and free-flowing style of rugby, earning them the nicknames "Classy Cas" and "High Speed Cas", the latter playing off the slogan for British Gas in use at the time.

Castleford picked up where they left off when they were again beaten in the Championship finals in 1969, this time conceding defeat to arch-rivals Leeds. However, this loss seemed to spur the team on, and 1969 (v. Salford) and 1970 (v. Wigan) saw Castleford win the Challenge Cup for two consecutive years, with clubs legends Alan Hardisty and Keith Hepworth leading the team.

1973–1995: Consistency

John Sheridan was appointed head coach in 1973 for a spell. Castleford finished a respectable ninth in a one-division table but Sheridan stepped down following criticism from fans. During the late 1970s, Castleford edged up the league, and in 1985 they made it to the Premiership final, where they were beaten by Hull Kingston Rovers. A Yorkshire Cup defeat at the beginning of the following season to Hull Kingston Rovers was bettered with a 15–14 triumph at Wembley, again with Hull Kingston Rovers being the opponents. They finished consistently high over the next few years, and finished in the top four clubs in the Championship for four years during 1990–1995.

Darryl van der Velde took Castleford to the Challenge Cup final at Wembley in 1992 where they were defeated by Wigan. A year later, Darryl van der Velde left to become chief executive of the South Queensland Crushers, and was succeeded by his assistant John Joyner.

Through the Darryl van der Velde and early Joyner years Castleford were lauded for their style and were labelled 'Classy Cas'. This enjoyable playing style was to come to fruition most spectacularly in 1994, when Castleford were dominating the league. As well as defeating a legendary Wigan team to take the Regal Trophy 33–2, they were also semi-finalists in the Challenge Cup and were also narrowly defeated in the Premiership final. That season, John Joyner was named Coach of the Year by the RFL. St. John Ellis scored a then club record 40 league tries over the 1993–94 season.

1996–2004: Super League era

When a Super League was suggested, Castleford resisted a merger with Wakefield Trinity and Featherstone Rovers, and became a founder member of the Super League in 1996. The team performed weakly at the start of the season causing the resignation of coach John Joyner. The team avoided relegation by a whisker in 1997 following the appointment of Stuart Raper.

The next season, they managed to frustrate the bleak predictions of pundits to move up the league, finishing sixth at the end of the season, after putting in some good performances and pleasing their fans with a sprinkling of victories.

In 1999, they continued on this upward trajectory, finishing fifth, as well as making the semi-finals of both the Challenge Cup and the Grand Final play-offs. This became one of the most famous seasons in the clubs recent past, with fans still remembering it with reverence. The team included many home grown players, such as Danny Orr, and boasted that years Man of Steel winner Adrian Vowles. In 2000, the rise seemed to stall, as they repeated their fifth-place ranking and made the play-offs for a consecutive season. Raper left Castleford midway through the 2001 campaign to take charge of Wigan and his assistant Graham Steadman took over the reins as head coach.

Castleford made the semi-final of the Challenge Cup in 2002, however the team was to fall down the table over the years to come. Gary Mercer guided Castleford to five wins in their last 10 games after replacing Steadman in 2004 but it was too little to save them from the drop as Castleford were relegated for the first time in the club's history. Since the introduction of two divisions for the 1973–74 Northern Rugby Football League season, Castleford had spent 32 years in the top flight of British rugby league. Gary Mercer left the club following their relegation from Super League.

2005–2007: Life in the second tier of Rugby League

Dave Woods was appointed head coach and Castleford finished second in the Co-operative Championship in 2005. They were promoted back to the Super League via play-offs following victory in the playoff final against Whitehaven, as well as competing in the Northern Rail Cup final, where they lost to Hull Kingston Rovers.

Terry Matterson joined Castleford in November 2005 in replacement of Woods. Castleford were celebrated for playing a good brand of rugby league, however it was not good enough to stop them from contesting a relegation dog fight which was to culminate in a historic match at Wakefield Trinity's Belle Vue, dubbed 'The Battle of Belle Vue'. It was a fight to stay in the league, and when Castleford lost to Wakefield Trinity, it confirmed their relegation.[2] Many Castleford fans do not accept this relegation and it became a grave point of contention with the governing body. Castleford were relegated from second bottom in front of the newly inducted French side, Catalans Dragons, who had been given immunity from relegation that season, and behind Wigan who had been found guilty of a breach of the salary cap rules.

In 2007, Castleford again made a quick return to Super League as they finished top of the Championship with only one loss all season and defeated Widnes 42–10 in the Co-operative Championship play-off final. Castleford finished bottom of Super League in 2008, but were not relegated due to the newly in place franchise rules.

2009–2012: Re-establishment in Super League

In 2009, Castleford saw a brief return to success by reaching the Grand Final play-offs for the first time since Super League VII and made the semi-final of the Challenge Cup in 2011 before being knocked out by Leeds in an 8–10 defeat after extra time. At the end of the season, standout halfback Rangi Chase was announced as the winner of the 2011 Man of Steel award.[3]

Terry Matterson stepped down at the end of the 2011 season to take up a coaching role in Australia and was replaced by former St Helens coach Ian Millward. Millward was released by mutual consent on 9 April 2013 after a poor run of results with 1 win in 18 games and with the team at the bottom of the Super League table. Daryl Powell was appointed head coach in May 2013 taking over from assistant coach Danny Orr, who had been in temporary charge of the club.

2013–2021: Daryl Powell era

Under the guidance of Daryl Powell and his assistants Danny Orr and Ryan Sheridan, the Castleford Tigers once again started to see success on and off the field.[4] The 2014 side were again lauded as 'Classy Cas' for their fast-paced and exciting style, built around home grown players such as captain Michael Shenton, Daryl Clark, and Andy Lynch. The team reached the Challenge Cup final in August 2014, losing to local rivals Leeds Rhinos 23–10 in front of a crowd of 77,914 at Wembley Stadium.[5] Castleford missed out on the League Leaders' Shield on the final day of the regular season, eventually finishing 4th after defeat to Catalans.[6] In the play-offs, they were defeated 41–0 by St Helens in their qualifying final,[7] and beaten 14–30 by Warrington in their preliminary semi-final to bring the season to a close.[8] At the end of season awards, Daryl Clark was named both Man of Steel and Young Player of the Year, and Powell was awarded Coach of the Year.[9]

On 29 September 2015, the club announced the death of chairman Jack Fulton.[10]

In 2017, the Tigers enjoyed a phenomenal 23 game regular season as they finished 10 points clear at the top of the table before the split, having won 20 and lost just 3 of their games. They went into the Super 8s having already secured a top four play-off spot and lifted the League Leaders' Shield in August, topping the table for the first time in their 91-year history.[11] In the play-off semi-final against St Helens, Luke Gale - just days after undergoing an emergency appendectomy - kicked a drop goal in golden point extra time to send Cas to their first Grand Final with a 23–22 victory. At Old Trafford, Castleford were defeated 24–6 by Leeds Rhinos with a late consolation score from Alex Foster their sole try.[12] Gale was voted Man of Steel, while Powell picked up the Coach of the Year award for the second time.[13] The Tigers were also represented by six inclusions in the Super League Dream Team.[14]

2018 saw Castleford finish the regular season in 3rd position after an injury-hit year, including the loss of key man Luke Gale for several months with a fractured knee-cap.[15]

Castleford finished the Super League XXIV season in 5th place on the table. Castleford reached the second week of the 2019 Super League play-offs where they were defeated by eventual Grand Finalists Salford Red Devils 22–0 in the elimination semi-final.[16]

In the 2020 Super League season, the club finished a disappointing ninth on the table, their lowest finish since 2013. Despite Castleford's poor season, Paul McShane won the 2020 Man of Steel award.[17]

On 5 June 2021, Castleford reached the 2021 Challenge Cup Final after defeating Warrington 35–20.[18] In the 2021 Challenge Cup Final, Castleford lead St Helens 12–6 at half time but lost the match 26–12 after Saints scored 20 unanswered points in the second half.[19] Castleford finished the 2021 Super League season in 7th place and missed out on the playoffs.[20]

2022–present: New era

At the conclusion of the 2021 season, Daryl Powell - by then Super League's longest serving head coach - departed Castleford, saying "For both me and the club, it is the right time."[21] [22] Alongside him, numerous long-serving and influential players moved on, including captain Michael Shenton, Grant Millington, and Oliver Holmes. The new head coach was announced as Lee Radford, ushering the club into a new era with a host of signings.[23] [24] Castleford started the 2022 season poorly before climbing into the playoff places by July. The final match of the year, against Leeds, would see the winners advance to the playoffs - the Tigers conceded two late tries to lose 14–6, finishing their season in 7th place.[25]

Castleford started their 2023 Super League season in similar fashion to the 2022 season losing their opening three games. Following their 36–0 loss to Wigan, Lee Radford was terminated as head coach and replaced by Andy Last. Under Last, Castleford would only win four matches from a possible 17 games. Following Castleford's 28–0 loss to Huddersfield in round 21, Last was terminated as Castleford head coach.[26] [27] [28] Castleford would finish the 2023 Super League season in 11th place, narrowly avoiding relegation.[29]

Castleford would start the 2024 Super League season badly losing their opening six games. In round 7, they would record their first victory over Salford winning the match 36-24.[30]

Stadiums

1926–27: Sandy Desert

In February 1926, Castleford RLFC were accepted into the Northern Rugby Football League from the 1926–27 season. Within a week of their successful application, the club announced that they had agreed to the purchase of Wheldon Road for their future home. While improvements were carried out, they played their first season as professionals at the Sandy Desert ground, located on the west side of Lock Lane, which had been their home as an amateur side.[31] The site is now used by amateur club Castleford Lock Lane.

1927–present: Wheldon Road

See main article: The Jungle (Wheldon Road). Wheldon Road was built in 1926, originally intended to be the home of association football club Castleford Town. In February 1926, within a week of Castleford RLFC's successful application to join the Northern Rugby Football League, the club announced that they had agreed to buy the ground. They had negotiated an £800 loan from the RFL to finance the purchase. The club spent a year making improvements to spectator facilities, reseeding the playing area and replacing the perimeter fencing before finally moving in from the 1927–28 season.

On 9 March 1935, the ground set its record attendance when 25,449 spectators watched Castleford play a third-round Challenge Cup match against Hunslet.

Castleford installed floodlights at Wheldon Road ahead of the 1965–66 season, becoming the seventh rugby league club to do so.[32] This enabled their participation in the inaugural BBC2 Floodlit Trophy.

In the early 2000s, the stadium was renamed The Jungle as a result of sponsorship from online retailer Jungle.com. This moniker proved popular with supporters, with the club seeking to reinstate the name alongside subsequent naming rights holders.[33]

Proposed relocations

The Lateral Property group submitted a planning application for a proposed £135 million development and Five Towns Stadium in Glasshoughton. Outline planning permission was given to the development in 2015, with Reserved Matters applications to follow. In early 2018, Lateral Property Group announced that site had been renamed Axiom, working with partner Highgrove Plc,[34] a scheme which would include food, a country park and an omni-retail experience. Numerous planning applications have been submitted through Wakefield MDC Planning Department to discharge conditions as well as amend the scheme slightly, with a Reserved Matters application for Phase 1 and 2a of the work approved. The schedule provided by the developers is that work on supporting roads and groundworks will begin in Summer/Autumn 2018 with the stadium to be completed in time for the 2021 season. In July 2018, an application was submitted to increase the capacity of the proposed ground from 10,000 to 10,245.[35]

Kit sponsors and manufacturers

Year Kit ManufacturerMain Shirt Sponsor
1983–1992 O'neals Hicksons
1993–1998 Asics
1999 Avec
2000–2001 Safestyle UK
2002–2003 Excito Jungle.com
2004–2009 KukriGMB Union
2010 Diggerland
2011–2012 Probiz
2013 Help-Link
2014 CBR Engineering
2015–2019 XBlades
2020–2021 Club Castleford
2022–2024 Oxen

2024 transfers

Transfers in

Player From Contract Date Ref.
17 Nixon Putt Central Queensland Capras2 years29 September 2023[36]
11 Elie El-Zakhem North Sydney Bears2 years29 September 2023
21 Sylvester Namo Townsville Blackhawks2 years1 October 2023[37]
18 Josh Hodson Batley Bulldogs2 years2 October 2023[38]
2 Josh Simm Wynnum Manly Seagulls2 years3 October 2023[39]
4 Sam Wood Hull Kingston Rovers3 years4 October 2023[40]
1 Luke Hooley Leeds Rhinos2 years5 October 2023[41]
16 Rowan Milnes Hull Kingston Rovers2 years8 October 2023[42]
26 Samy Kibula Batley Bulldogs1 year19 October 2023[43]
30 Luis Johnson Hull Kingston Rovers1 year18 December 2023[44]
32 Daniel Hindmarsh-Takyi Northern Pride2 years5 February 2024[45]
34 Tex Hoy Hull F.C.1 year20 April 2024[46]

Loans in

Player From Loan type Arrival Return Ref.
5 Innes Senior Huddersfield GiantsSeason-long11 October 2023[47]
33 Louis Senior Hull Kingston RoversTwo-week, rolling16 April 2024[48]
Season-long23 April 2024[49]
35 Corey Hall Hull Kingston RoversSeason-long23 April 2024
36 Sam Eseh Wigan WarriorsTwo-week23 April 20241 May 2024[50] [51]
Two-week7 May 202421 May 2024[52] [53]
37 Matty English Huddersfield GiantsTwo-week, rolling12 June 202415 July 2024[54] [55]

Transfers out

Player To Contract Date Ref.
16 Adam Milner Huddersfield Giants1 year25 May 2023[56]
1 Niall Evalds Hull Kingston Rovers2 years23 August 2023[57]
3 Jordan Turner Oldham2 years23 August 2023[58]
14 Nathan Massey Featherstone Rovers1 year12 September 2023[59] [60]
2 Greg Eden Halifax Panthers2 years19 September 2023[61] [62]
23 Suaia Matagi Doncaster1 year19 September 2023[63]
15 Alex Sutcliffe Doncaster1 year20 September 2023[64] [65]
27 Bailey Dawson Dewsbury Rams1 year20 September 2023[66]
29 Kieran Hudson Leeds Rhinos1 year20 September 2023[67]
30 Jacob Hookem Dewsbury Rams1 year20 September 2023[68]
35 Ilikaya Mafi Doncaster1 year20 September 2023[69]
11 Kenny Edwards Mackay Cutters2 years20 September 2023[70] [71]
26 Elliot Wallis Huddersfield Giants4 years11 October 2023
6 Gareth Widdop Halifax Panthers1 year18 October 2023[72] [73]
33 Aaron Willis Midlands Hurricanes1 year22 October 2023[74] [75]
Jacques O'Neill22 October 2023[76]
27 Albert Vete19 April 2024[77]
22 Charbel Tasipale Western Suburbs Magpies½ year24 June 2024[78] [79]

Loans out

Player To Loan type Departure Return Ref.
29 George Hill WhitehavenTwo-week, rolling27 March 202410 April 2024[80]
3 Jack Broadbent Hull Kingston RoversSeason-long23 April 2024[81]
32 Daniel Hindmarsh-Takyi WhitehavenTwo-week, rolling26 April 202428 June 2024[82]
1 Luke Hooley Featherstone RoversTwo-week3 May 202417 May 2024[83]
6 Danny Richardson Hull Kingston RoversSeason-long9 May 2024[84]
30 Luis Johnson Featherstone RoversTwo-week13 June 202427 June 2024[85]
26 Samy Kibula Featherstone RoversSeason-long26 July 2024[86]

Staff directory

Board of directors

Staff Position
Ian Fulton Chairman
Brian Ashworth Club president
Rob Clarkson Company secretary
Mark Grattan Board member & managing director
Steve Vause Board member
Dion Lowe Board member
Martin Jepson Board member
[87]

Elite performance

Staff Position
Head coach
Assistant coach
Assistant coach
Danny Wilson Head of rugby operations
Adam Whitney Head of strength & conditioning
Martin Clawson Assistant strength & conditioning coach
Nick Raynor Club doctor

Youth development

Staff Position
Rob Nickolay Head of youth development
Matty Faulkner Player performance manager
Reserves head coach
Chris Spurr Academy/reserves coach
Nathan Freer Academy head of physical performance
Jordan Fentiman Academy/reserves strength & conditioning
Brydey Farmer Academy/reserves strength & conditioning
Toby Giddings Academy/reserves strength & conditioning
Hannah Martin Academy/reserves physiotherapist
Harry Howarth Academy/reserves analysis

Past coaches

Heritage players

See main article: List of Castleford Tigers players.

Seasons

See main article: List of Castleford Tigers seasons.

Honours

Leagues

Runners up (3): 1938–39, 1968–69, 2017

League Leaders' Shield

Winners (1): 2017

Winners (2): 2005, 2007

RFL Championship Leaders' Shield

Winners (1): 2007

Runners up (1): 2005

Winners (3): 1932–33, 1938–39, 1964–65

Cups

Winners (4): 1934–35 (also Cup Winners' Match), 1968–69, 1969–70, 1985–86

Runners up (3): 1991–92, 2014, 2021

Winners (5): 1977–78, 1981–82, 1986–87, 1990–91, 1991–92

Runners up (8): 1948–49, 1950–51, 1968–69, 1971–72, 1983–84, 1985–86, 1987–88, 1988–89

Winners (2): 1976–77, 1993–94

Winners (4): 1965–66, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1976–77

Records

Club records

Biggest win:

Heaviest defeat:

Highest attendance:

Highest attendance (Summer era):

Highest attendance (Challenge Cup):

Highest attendance (vs an international touring team):

Player records

All-time records

Most tries in a game:

Most goals in a game:

Most points in a game:

Most tries in a season:

Most goals in a season:

Most points in a season:

Most career tries:

Most career goals:

Most career points:

Most appearances

See also: List of Castleford Tigers players.

Rank Player Years
1 613 1972–1992
2 432 1987–2005
3 431 1926–1942
4 401 1958–1971
5 388 1931–1946
6 373 1929–1944
7 363 1952–1963
8 347 2004–2021
9 346 1982–1994
10 344 1950–1963

Sources: [88] [89] [90]

Super League records

Most tries in a game:

Most goals in a game:

Most points in a game:

Most tries in a season:

Most goals in a season:

Most points in a season:

Supporters

Castleford have an average gate close to 8,000 per home game throughout the Super League era. In 2018 the club are currently averaging close to 10,000. The majority of Castleford's matchday support comes from primarily Castleford and the nearby towns of Normanton, Kippax, Knottingley, Rothwell, Garforth, Selby, Sherburn-in-Elmet and Cross Gates.

While the club spent the 2005 & 2007 rugby league season in the Co-Operative Championship due to relegation the club still had an average attendance of 5,000+ and broke most records in the Co-Operative Championship for attendance most notably against Hull Kingston Rovers in the Northern Rail Cup Final which was spectated by a crowd of 9,400 and the Co-Operative Championship record attendance of 20,814 in the 2007 grand final against Widnes.

Castleford's fanbase includes a host of celebrity supporters, including England international cricketers Chris Silverwood and Tim Bresnan, Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall, former Coronation Street actress Lucy-Jo Hudson and Notts County and former England footballer Alan Smith.

Women's team

See main article: Castleford Tigers Women.

The Castleford Tigers Women's team was established in 2016.[91] They took part in the inaugural season of the Women's Super League in 2017[92] and won the League Leaders' Shield in 2019.[93] Castleford reached the final of the Women's Challenge Cup in 2018 and 2019 but lost to Leeds on both occasions.[94] [95]

Notes and References

  1. News: Castleford's promotion . . 18 February 1926 . 2 . ((12,597)) . subscription . British Newspaper Archive.
  2. Web site: Wilson . Andy . 18 September 2006 . Cas crash leaves Matterson to rue 'crazy' British relegation fixation . 26 December 2023 . The Guardian.
  3. Web site: 3 October 2011 . Castleford stand-off Rangi Chase is 2011 Man of Steel . 26 December 2023 . BBC Sport.
  4. Web site: 9 March 2015 . Castleford's coaching staff commit to club . 26 December 2023 . Love Rugby League.
  5. News: Challenge Cup final: Castleford Tigers 10–23 Leeds Rhinos. 23 August 2014. BBC Sport. 29 July 2017.
  6. Web site: 13 September 2014 . Super League: St Helens win Shield after Catalan beat Castleford . 26 December 2023 . Sky Sports.
  7. Web site: 19 September 2014 . Super League play-offs: St Helens 41-0 Castleford Tigers . 26 December 2023 . BBC Sport.
  8. Web site: 25 September 2014 . Super League: Castleford Tigers 14-30 Warrington Wolves . 26 December 2023 . BBC Sport.
  9. Web site: 8 October 2014 . Daryl Clark leads Castleford to Super League Man of Steel clean sweep . 26 December 2023 . The Guardian.
  10. Web site: Tributes for Castleford chairman Jack Fulton, who dies aged 83 . 30 September 2015 . SkySports.com . . 10 March 2016.
  11. News: 17 August 2017 . Castleford secure first league title after overpowering Wakefield . The Guardian .
  12. Web site: Cartwright . Phil . 7 October 2017 . Grand Final 2017: Castleford 6-24 Leeds Rhinos . 26 December 2023 . BBC Sport.
  13. Web site: 3 October 2017 . Luke Gale: Castleford half-back wins 2017 Steve Prescott Man of Steel award . 26 December 2023 . BBC Sport.
  14. Web site: 26 September 2017 . Betfred Super League Dream Team: Six Tigers & eight new faces . 26 December 2023 . Sky Sports.
  15. News: Luke Gale: Castleford Tigers half-back out for three months with fractured kneecap. 2 May 2018. BBC Sport.
  16. Web site: Salford Red Devils 22–0 Castleford Tigers recap. Sky Sports.
  17. Web site: Season Review Castleford. www.superleague.co.uk. 30 April 2021.
  18. News: Challenge Cup semi-final: Castleford Tigers beat Warrington 35–20 to set up St Helens final. BBC Sport. 6 June 2021.
  19. Web site: How St Helens players have celebrated their first Challenge Cup win in 13 years. www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk. 27 September 2021. 18 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210718102540/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/st-helens-celebrate-challenge-cup-21081897. dead.
  20. Web site: Terry O'Connor's 2021 Betfred Super League season review. www.skysports.com.
  21. Web site: Shaw . Matthew . 19 March 2021 . 'It is the right time' - Daryl Powell speaks out about his decision to leave Castleford Tigers . 26 December 2023 . Yorkshire Live.
  22. Web site: 19 March 2023 . Super League: Daryl Powell to leave Castleford Tigers at end of 2021 season . 26 December 2023 . Sky Sports.
  23. Web site: 26 January 2022 . Season preview: Castleford Tigers . 26 December 2023 . Super League.
  24. Web site: Bower . Aaron . 25 August 2021 . Castleford Tigers duo set to leave as rebuild under Lee Radford continues . 26 December 2023 . Manchester Evening News.
  25. Web site: 3 September 2022 . Super League: Dramatic late Aidan Sezer try sends Leeds Rhinos into play-offs at expense of Castleford Tigers . 7 October 2022 . Sky Sports.
  26. Web site: 4 August 2023 . Andy Last: Castleford Tigers sack head coach after falling to bottom of Super League . 4 August 2023 . BBC Sport.
  27. Web site: 4 August 2023 . Andy Last: Castleford Tigers head coach sacked following 28–0 home defeat to Huddersfield Giants . 5 August 2023 . Sky Sports.
  28. Web site: O'Brien . James . 4 August 2023 . Castleford Tigers 0 Huddersfield Giants 28: Andy Last sacked after fifth defeat in a row . 5 August 2023 . The Yorkshire Post.
  29. Web site: Castleford Tigers ace Alex Mellor delivers brutally honest assessment of 'awful' season; 'We've massively underperformed'. www.loverugbyleague.com. 22 September 2023 . 29 September 2023.
  30. Web site: 5 April 2024 . Super League: Castleford Tigers 36-24 Salford Red Devils - Cas get first win of season . 6 April 2024 . BBC Sport.
  31. Web site: Humphries . Allan . Early Days at the Jungle . 28 December 2023 . Castleford Tigers Heritage Project.
  32. Web site: Anderson . Tim . BBC2 Floodlit Competition . 28 December 2023 . Castleford Tigers Heritage Project.
  33. Web site: 29 August 2013 . Super League: Castleford confirm stadium to be called Mend-A-Hose Jungle . 28 December 2023 . Sky Sports.
  34. Web site: VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: New name for Five Towns Park development as more images of scheme emerge. www.pontefractandcastlefordexpress.co.uk.
  35. Web site: Non-material amendment to vary the wording of condition 8 of approved Planning Application 16/01544/FUL . planning.wakefield.gov.uk.
  36. Web site: 29 September 2023 . Castleford Tigers: Putt and El-Zakhem join, new contract for Joe Westerman . 6 October 2023 . BBC Sport.
  37. Web site: 1 October 2023 . Sylvester Namo: Castleford sign PNG international as Liam Watts agrees new deal . 1 October 2023 . BBC Sport.
  38. Web site: 2 October 2023 . Josh Hodson: Castleford Tigers to sign Batley Bulldogs centre from 2024 . 3 October 2023 . BBC Sport.
  39. Web site: 3 October 2023 . Josh Simm: Castleford Tigers sign ex-St Helens centre for 2024 season . 6 October 2023 . BBC Sport.
  40. Web site: 4 October 2023 . Sam Wood: Castleford Tigers sign versatile back from Hull KR on three-year deal . 6 October 2023 . BBC Sport.
  41. Web site: 5 October 2023 . Luke Hooley: Castleford Tigers sign Leeds Rhinos full-back . 6 October 2023 . BBC Sport.
  42. Web site: 9 October 2023 . Rowan Milnes: Castleford Tigers to sign Hull KR half-back for 2024 season . 19 October 2023 . BBC Sport.
  43. Web site: Smith . Peter . 19 October 2023 . Castleford Tigers sign ex-Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves forward Samy Kibula . 19 October 2023 . Yorkshire Evening Post.
  44. Web site: 18 December 2023 . Luis Johnson: Castleford Tigers sign forward from Hull KR on one-year deal . 18 December 2023 . BBC Sport.
  45. Web site: 5 February 2024 . Daniel Hindmarsh-Takyi: Castleford Tigers sign ex-London Broncos prop . 5 February 2024 . BBC Sport.
  46. Web site: Olawumi . Ben . 20 April 2024 . Castleford Tigers confirm Tex Hoy signing with quota spot filled by ex-Hull FC ace . 22 April 2024 . Love Rugby League.
  47. Web site: 11 October 2023 . Huddersfield Giants swap Innes Senior for Castleford Tigers' Elliot Wallis . 11 October 2023 . BBC Sport.
  48. Web site: O'Brien . James . 16 April 2024 . Castleford Tigers sign Hull KR winger Louis Senior on loan to ease injury crisis . 16 April 2024 . The Yorkshire Post.
  49. Web site: Harber . Tony . 23 April 2024 . Castleford Tigers bring in Corey Hall and extend Louis Senior loan in swap deal with Hull KR for Jack Broadbent . 23 April 2024 . Wakefield Express.
  50. Web site: O'Brien . James . 23 April 2024 . Castleford Tigers continue recruitment drive with signing of former Wakefield Trinity prop Sam Eseh . 23 April 2024 . The Yorkshire Post.
  51. Web site: McAllister . Josh . 1 May 2024 . Sam Eseh returns to Wigan Warriors as Matt Peet provides update on prop . 3 May 2024 . Wigan Today.
  52. Web site: Shaw . Matthew . 7 May 2024 . Castleford Tigers secure loan return of Wigan Warriors forward after injury . 8 May 2024 . Yorkshire Live.
  53. Web site: Bower . Aaron . 22 May 2024 . Tiaki Chan update as Hull FC loan situation explained by Wigan Warriors coach . 22 May 2024 . Love Rugby League.
  54. Web site: Harber . Tony . 12 June 2024 . Castleford Tigers bring in prop forward Matty English on loan from Huddersfield Giants . 15 June 2024 . Wakefield Express.
  55. Web site: Walker . Callum . 15 July 2024 . Castleford Tigers loanee recalled by parent Super League club . 16 July 2024 . TotalRL.
  56. Web site: 25 May 2023 . Adam Milner: Huddersfield Giants sign Castleford Tigers stalwart on initial loan . 20 September 2023 . BBC Sport.
  57. Web site: 23 August 2023 . Niall Evalds: Hull KR to sign Castleford full-back from 2024 season on two-year deal . 20 September 2023 . BBC Sport.
  58. Web site: Darbyshire . Drew . 23 August 2023 . Jordan Turner: Super League stalwart to join hometown club in player-coach role in 2024 . 20 September 2023 . Love Rugby League.
  59. Web site: 12 September 2023 . Nathan Massey: Castleford Tigers stalwart to end 19-year stay at Super League club after 2023 season . 20 September 2023 . BBC Sport.
  60. Web site: O'Brien . James . 10 November 2023 . Former Castleford Tigers prop Nathan Massey follows through on Featherstone Rovers pledge despite Championship status . 24 November 2023 . The Yorkshire Post.
  61. Web site: 19 September 2023 . Greg Eden & Suaia Matagi: Castleford Tigers duo to leave after 2023 Super League season . 20 September 2023 . BBC Sport.
  62. Web site: Tomlinson . Daniel . 7 November 2023 . Halifax Panthers sign veteran winger Greg Eden as 2024 squad takes shape . 24 November 2023 . Yorkshire Live.
  63. Web site: Olawumi . Ben . 3 November 2023 . Championship move confirmed for former NRL ace following Castleford Tigers departure: 'I'm just getting started' . 5 November 2023 . Love Rugby League.
  64. Web site: McAllister . Josh . 20 September 2023 . Castleford Tigers confirm five more departures, including ex-Leeds Rhinos man . 20 September 2023 . Love Rugby League.
  65. Web site: Olawumi . Ben . 27 October 2023 . Former Leeds Rhinos ace makes Championship move following Castleford Tigers exit: 'All I've heard is good things' . 19 December 2023 . Love Rugby League.
  66. Web site: Darbyshire . Drew . 11 November 2023 . Former Castleford Tigers, Hull KR starlet makes permanent Championship move for 2024: 'I'm absolutely buzzing' . 19 December 2023 . Love Rugby League.
  67. Web site: 7 November 2023 . Kieran Hudson: John Holmes' grandson joins Leeds Rhinos from Castleford Tigers . 19 December 2023 . BBC Sport.
  68. Web site: Darbyshire . Drew . 25 October 2023 . Former Castleford Tigers and Hull FC youngster makes Championship move for 2024 . 19 December 2023 . Love Rugby League.
  69. Web site: Olawumi . Ben . 2 February 2024 . Released Castleford Tigers ace snapped up by Championship club following successful trial: 'I'm excited about the opportunity it presents' . 3 February 2024 . Love Rugby League.
  70. Web site: 20 September 2023 . Kenny Edwards: Castleford Tigers back-rower to retire after 2023 season . 20 September 2023 . BBC Sport.
  71. Web site: Darbyshire . Drew . 2 November 2023 . Kenny Edwards finds new club in Australia on two-year deal following Castleford Tigers departure . 5 November 2023 . Love Rugby League.
  72. Web site: 18 October 2023 . Gareth Widdop: Castleford announce departure of Great Britain half-back . 18 October 2023 . BBC Sport.
  73. Web site: Olawumi . Ben . 23 December 2023 . Ex-NRL champion comes out of retirement to join hometown Championship club ahead of 2024 . 26 December 2023 . Love Rugby League.
  74. Web site: 22 October 2023 . Full 2024 first team squad . 22 October 2023 . Castleford Tigers.
  75. Web site: Darbyshire . Drew . 7 November 2023 . Castleford Tigers youngster makes League 1 move: 'A quality young player with Super League experience' . 24 November 2023 . Love Rugby League.
  76. Web site: Walker . Callum . 30 October 2023 . When Castleford Tigers players will return for pre-season as Craig Lingard gives update on Albert Vete, Jacob Miller and Jacques O'Neill future . 13 December 2023 . TotalRL.
  77. Web site: O'Brien . James . 19 April 2024 . Castleford Tigers confirm Albert Vete departure as Danny Wilson teases overseas replacement . 22 April 2024 . The Yorkshire Post.
  78. Web site: 24 June 2024 . Castleford release back-rower Tasipale . 3 July 2024 . BBC Sport.
  79. Web site: Walker . Callum . 10 July 2024 . Ex-Castleford Tigers man Charbel Tasipale finds new club . 16 July 2024 . TotalRL.
  80. Web site: 27 March 2024 . Whitehaven boost squad ahead of Good Friday Barrow clash . 27 March 2024 . Cumbria Crack.
  81. Web site: 23 April 2024 . Broadbent joins Hull KR in Cas swap deal . 23 April 2024 . BBC Sport.
  82. Web site: Mawson . Brandon . 26 April 2024 . Whitehaven RL announce addition of Huw Worthington and Dan Hindmarsh . 3 May 2024 . The Whitehaven News.
  83. Web site: Smith . Peter . 3 May 2024 . Ex-Leeds Rhinos man Luke Hooley 'big part' of Castleford Tigers' future despite Featherstone Rovers loan . 3 May 2024 . Yorkshire Evening Post.
  84. Web site: 9 May 2024 . Hull KR bring in Richardson on loan from Castleford . 9 May 2024 . BBC Sport.
  85. Web site: Walker . Callum . 13 June 2024 . Castleford Tigers forward Luis Johnson makes short-term loan move . 15 June 2024 . TotalRL.
  86. Web site: Walker . Callum . 26 July 2024 . Castleford Tigers prop makes season-long loan move . 2 August 2024 . TotalRL.
  87. Web site: Club Staff Directory . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230312182637/https://castlefordtigers.com/club.php?show=directory . 12 March 2023 . 28 December 2023 . Castleford Tigers.
  88. David Smart & Andrew Howard (1 July 2000). "Images of Sport – Castleford Rugby League – A Twentieth Century History". The History Press Ltd.
  89. Book: Garbett, Ian . Castleford Rugby League Football Club: A Ninety Years Statistical & Pictorial Record 1926-2016 . Garbett . Roy . 14 August 2017 . Scratching Shed Publishing . . 978-0995586109 . en.
  90. https://stats.rugbyleaguerecords.com/teamdirectory.php?tselect=58 RLRKC – Castleford Tigers Records
  91. Web site: Castleford Tigers launch Women's team . www.rugby-league.com . 1 September 2016 . 31 October 2023.
  92. Web site: These Girl Can: The Wider Impacts of the Development and Growth of Women's & Girls' Rugby League (March 2021) . 16 . Rugby Football League . 31 October 2023.
  93. Web site: Castleford lift League Leaders' Shield . www.rugby-league.com . 18 September 2019 . 31 October 2023.
  94. News: Women's Challenge Cup: Leeds Rhinos women beat Castleford Tigers 20–14 to lift trophy. 4 August 2018. 31 October 2023. BBC Sport.
  95. News: Women's Challenge Cup final: Castleford Tigers 10-16 Leeds Rhinos . BBC Sport . 27 July 2019 . 31 October 2023.