Castleford Tigers

English professional rugby league football club

Castleford Tigers

Club information
Full name| Castleford Tigers Rugby League Football Club
Nickname(s)| Classy Cas
You Fords
Tigers
The Glassblowers
Short name| Cas
Colours| Black and Amber
Founded| 1926; 99 years ago (1926)
Website| castlefordtigers.com
Current details
Ground(s)|

* The Jungle (Wheldon Road) (10,500)

Chairman| Martin Jepson
Coach| Danny McGuire
Captain| Sam Wood
Competition| Super League
2024 season| 10th
Current season
Uniforms

Home colours

Away colours

|

Records
Challenge Cups| 4 (1935, 1969, 1970, 1986)
Other honours| 14
Most capped| 613 – John Joyner
Highest points scorer| 1,870 – Albert Lunn

Castleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club in Castleford, West Yorkshire, England. They play their home games at Wheldon Road (currently known as the Mend-A-Hose Jungle for sponsorship reasons) 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

[edit]

### 1896–1906: First Castleford club

[edit]

Castleford Tigers memorabilia at the Castleford Forum Museum

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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 2019 Super League 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

[edit]

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]

After a bleak start to the 2023 season, Radford was terminated as head coach on 6 March and replaced by assistant coach Andy Last.[26][27] Castleford's continued poor form saw them drawn into a relegation scrap with Wakefield, and Last too was dismissed after registering just four wins from nineteen matches.[28] Danny Ward took charge for the final six rounds, with the Tigers eventually finishing in 11th place and narrowly surviving.[29]

Castleford went into the 2024 season under Craig Lingard with a large squad turnover and reduced average age.[30][31] The team operated with a reduced playing budget as the club prioritised off-field improvements to secure Super League status under the new IMG grading system.[32][33] They finished the year in 10th place, representing a marginal improvement on the previous campaign.[34] In October 2024, the club announced that board member and investor Martin Jepson had agreed to the purchase of shares owned by the Fulton family, making him majority shareholder and chairman.[35][36] In the following days, Castleford parted company with Lingard,[37] and it was announced they had achieved a Grade A score in the 2024 club gradings.[38]

## Stadiums

[edit]

### 1926–27: Sandy Desert

[edit]

Sandy Desert in 2008

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.[39] The site is now used by amateur club Castleford Lock Lane.

### 1927–present: Wheldon Road

[edit]

Main article: The Jungle (Wheldon Road)

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.[39]

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.[40] 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.[41]

### Proposed relocations

[edit]

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,[42] 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.[43]

## Kit sponsors and manufacturers

[edit]

Year | Kit Manufacturer | Main Shirt Sponsor

|
|

1983–1992 | O'neals | Hicksons
1993–1998 | Asics
1999 | Avec
2000–2001 | Safestyle UK
2002–2003 | Excito | Jungle.com
2004–2009 | Kukri | GMB Union
2010 | Diggerland
2011–2012 | Puma | Probiz
2013 | ISC | Help-Link
2014 | CBR Engineering
2015–2019 | XBlades
2020–2021 | Club Castleford
2022–2025 | Oxen

## 2025 squad

[edit]

2025 Castleford Tigers Squad

* view
* talk
* edit

First team squad  |  | Coaching staff

|
|

* 1  Tex Hoy – FB

* 2  Jason Qareqare – WG

* 3  Zac Cini – CE

* 4  Sam Wood (c) – CE

* 5  Innes Senior – WG

* 6  Daejarn Asi – SH, SO

* 7  Rowan Milnes (gk)  – SO, SH

* 9  Liam Horne – HK, LF

* 10  George Lawler (vc) – PR, SR, HK

* 11  Jeremiah Simbiken – SR

* 12  Alex Mellor (vc) – SR, CE

* 13  Joe Westerman – LF, PR

* 14  Judah Rimbu – HK, SO

|  |

* 15  George Griffin – PR

* 16  Cain Robb – HK

* 18  Josh Hodson – CE

* 19  Sam Hall – PR

* 20  Muizz Mustapha – PR

* 21  Sylvester Namo – PR

* 22  Louis Senior – WG

* 23  Fletcher Rooney – FB

* 24  Josh Simm – WG, CE

* 25  Will Tate – CE, WG

* 27  Jenson Windley – SH, SO

* 28  Akim Matvejev – PR

* 29  Alfie Horwell – HK, SO

|  |

* 30  Daniel Sarbah – WG, CE

* 32  Woody Walker – PR, LF

* 33  Sam Darley – SR

* 34  Jacob Hall – WG

* 35  Daniel Okoro – PR

* 37  Lee Kershaw – WG

* 38  Brad Singleton – PR

* Ramon Silva – PR

|  |  |  |

Head coach

* Danny McGuire

Assistant coaches

* Brett Delaney

* Scott Murrell

* * *

Legend:

* (c) Captain(s)
* (vc) Vice-captain(s)
* (gk) Goal kicker

* * *

Updated: 7 April 2025
Source(s): [1]

## 2025 transfers

[edit]

### Transfers in

[edit]

No | Player | From | Contract | Date | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|

5  |  Innes Senior |  Huddersfield Giants | 2 years[a] | 22 May 2024  | [44]
22  |  Louis Senior |  Hull Kingston Rovers | 2 years[a] | 22 May 2024  | [44]
3  |  Zac Cini |  Parramatta Eels | 2 years  | 21 August 2024  | [45]
6  |  Daejarn Asi |  Parramatta Eels | 2 years  | 30 October 2024  | [46]
14  |  Judah Rimbu |  PNG Hunters | 2 years  | 1 November 2024  | [47]
31  |  Kieran Hudson |  Leeds Rhinos | 1 year  | 20 November 2024  | [48]
11  |  Jeremiah Simbiken |  Dolphins | 1 year  | 4 December 2024  | [49]
—  |  Nick Staveley |  Hull FC | Trial  | 11 February 2025  | [50]
—  |  Ramon Silva |  Barrow Raiders | 1½ years  | 18 March 2025  | [51]
38  |  Brad Singleton |  Salford Red Devils | 1½ years  | 19 March 2025  | [52]

### Loans in

[edit]

No | Player | From | Loan type | Arrival | Return | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|

35  |  Daniel Okoro |  Warrington Wolves | Season-long  | 19 December 2024  | Ongoing  | [53]
36  |  Ben Davies |  St Helens | Two-week  | 11 February 2025  | 19 February 2025  | [54][55]
37  |  Lee Kershaw |  Hull Kingston Rovers | Two-week  | 19 February 2025  | 5 March 2025  | [56][57]
Two-week  | 7 April 2025  | Ongoing  | [58]

### Transfers out

[edit]

No | Player | To | Contract | Date | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|

3  |  Jack Broadbent |  Hull Kingston Rovers | 3 years[a] | 23 April 2024  | [59]
6  |  Danny Richardson |  Hull Kingston Rovers | 2 years[a] | 23 August 2024  | [60]
9  |  Paul McShane |  York Knights[b] | 2 years  | 5 September 2024  | [61][62]
7  |  Jacob Miller | Released  | —  | 7 October 2024  | [63]
11  |  Elie El-Zakhem |  Mackay Cutters | 1 year  | 7 October 2024  | [63][64]
17  |  Nixon Putt |  Central Queensland Capras | 1 year  | 7 October 2024  | [63][65]
25  |  Brad Martin |  Leigh Leopards | 2 years  | 7 October 2024  | [63][66]
26  |  Samy Kibula |  Batley Bulldogs | 1 year  | 7 October 2024  | [63][67]
30  |  Luis Johnson | Released  | —  | 7 October 2024  | [63]
32  |  Dan Hindmarsh | Released  | —  | 7 October 2024  | [63]
31  |  Kieran Hudson |  York Knights | 1 year  | 18 December 2024  | [68]
8  |  Liam Watts |  Hull FC | ½ year  | 27 February 2025  | [69][70]

### Loans out

[edit]

No | Player | To | Loan type | Departure | Return | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|

17  |  Luke Hooley |  Bradford Bulls | Two-week, rolling  | 12 March 2025  | Ongoing  | [71]
26  |  George Hill |  Salford Red Devils | One month  | 25 March 2025  | Ongoing  | [72]

1. ^ a b c d Initially joined on loan during the 2024 season, with the deal being made permanent ahead of 2025
2. ^ McShane initially announced his retirement, but later joined the York Knights on a two-year deal

## Staff directory

[edit]

### Board of directors

[edit]

Staff | Position

|

Martin Jepson | Chairman
Brian Ashworth | Club president
Rob Clarkson | Company secretary
Mark Grattan | Board member & managing director
Steve Vause | Board member
Dion Lowe | Board member

[73]

### Elite performance

[edit]

Staff | Position

|

Danny McGuire | Head Coach
Brett Delaney | Assistant Coach
Scott Murrell | Assistant Coach
Danny Wilson | Head of Rugby Operations
Adam Whitney | Head of Performance
Martin Clawson | Assistant Strength & Conditioning coach
Dr Nick Raynor | Head of Medical Services & Club Doctor
Karl Blenkin | Head Physiotherapist

[73]

### Youth development

[edit]

Staff | Position

|

Rob Nickolay | Head of Youth Development
Matty Faulkner | Player Performance Manager
Scott Murrell | Reserves Head Coach
Chris Spurr | Academy Head Coach
Nathan Freer | Academy Head of Physical Performance
Toby Giddings | Academy/Reserves Strength & Conditioning
Hannah Martin | Academy/Reserves Physiotherapist
Harry Howarth | Academy/Reserves Analyst

[73]

### Past coaches

[edit]

See also: Category:Castleford Tigers coaches

* William Rhodes 1926–28
* Jim Bacon 1928–29
* Dick Silcock 1929–30
* Billy Clements 1930–32
* William Rhodes 1932–51
* Jack Kitching 1951–52
* William Rhodes 1952–53
* Ernest Ward 1953–56
* Len Garbett 1956–57
* William Rhodes 1957–58
* Harry Street 1958–64
* George Clinton 1964–66
* Derek Turner 1966–69
* "Tommy" Smales 1969–70
* Alan Hardisty 1970–71
* Harry Poole 1971–72
* John Sheridan 1972–73
* Dave Cox 1973–1974
* Mal Reilly 1974–87
* David Sampson 1987–88
* Darryl van der Velde 1988–93
* John Joyner 1993–97
* Mick Morgan 1997 (Caretaker)
* Stuart Raper 1997–2001
* Graham Steadman 2001–04
* Gary Mercer 2004
* Dave Woods 2005
* Terry Matterson 2006–11
* Ian Millward 2012–13
* Danny Orr 2013 (Caretaker)
* Daryl Powell 2013–21
* Lee Radford 2022–23
* Andy Last 2023
* Danny Ward 2023
* Craig Lingard 2024

## Heritage players

[edit]

Main article: List of Castleford Tigers players

## Seasons

[edit]

Main article: List of Castleford Tigers seasons

## Honours

[edit]

### Leagues

[edit]

* Division 1 / Super League:

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

League Leaders' Shield:

Winners (1): 2017

* Division 2 / Championship:

Winners (2): 2005, 2007

RFL Championship Leaders' Shield:

Winners (1): 2007
Runners up (1): 2005

* RFL Yorkshire League:

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

### Cups

[edit]

* Challenge Cup:

Winners (4): 1934–35 (also Cup Winners' Match), 1968–69, 1969–70, 1985–86
Runners up (3): 1991–92, 2014, 2021

* RFL Yorkshire Cup:

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

* League Cup:

Winners (2): 1976–77, 1993–94

* BBC2 Floodlit Trophy:

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

## Records

[edit]

### Club records

[edit]

Biggest win:

* Rochdale Hornets 0–106 Castleford Tigers, 9 September 2007

Heaviest defeat:

* Castleford Tigers 4–72 St Helens, 13 August 2006

Highest attendance:

* 25,449 – Castleford vs Hunslet, 9 March 1935

Highest attendance (Summer era):

* 11,702 – Castleford Tigers vs Leeds Rhinos, 7 March 2004

Highest attendance (Challenge Cup):

* 97,939 – Castleford vs Salford, 1969 Challenge Cup final (Wembley Stadium)

Highest attendance (vs an international touring team):

* 14,004 – Castleford vs Australia, 6 October 1948 (1948–49 Kangaroo Tour)

### Player records

[edit]

#### All-time records

[edit]

Most tries in a game:

* 5 by Derek Foster (vs Hunslet), 10 November 1972
* 5 by John Joyner (vs Millom), 16 September 1973
* 5 by Steve Fenton (vs Dewsbury), 27 January 1978
* 5 by Ian French (vs Hunslet), 9 February 1986
* 5 by St. John Ellis (vs Whitehaven), 10 December 1989
* 5 by Greg Eden (vs Warrington Wolves), 11 June 2017

Most goals in a game:

* 17 by Sammy Lloyd (vs Millom), 16 September 1973

Most points in a game:

* 43 by Sammy Lloyd (vs Millom), 16 September 1973

Most tries in a season:

* 42 by Denny Solomona, 2016

Most goals in a season:

* 158 by Sammy Lloyd, 1976–77

Most points in a season:

* 355 by Luke Gale, 2017

Most career tries:

* 206 by Alan Hardisty, 1958–1971

Most career goals:

* 875 by Albert Lunn, 1951–1963

Most career points:

* 1870 by Albert Lunn, 1951–1963

#### Most appearances

[edit]

See also: List of Castleford Tigers players

Rank | Apps | Player | Years

|
|
|

1 | 613 | John Joyner | 1972–1992
2 | 432 | Dean Sampson | 1987–2005
3 | 431 | Arthur "Bruss" Atkinson | 1926–1942
4 | 401 | Alan Hardisty | 1958–1971
5 | 388 | Thomas L. Taylor | 1931–1946
6 | 373 | George Lewis | 1929–1944
7 | 363 | Albert Lunn | 1952–1963
8 | 347 | Michael Shenton | 2004–2021
9 | 346 | Keith England | 1982–1994
10 | 344 | Kenneth Pye | 1950–1963

Sources: [74][75][76]

#### Super League records

[edit]

Most tries in a game:

* 5 by Greg Eden (vs Warrington Wolves), 11 June 2017

Most goals in a game:

* 10 by Jamie Ellis (vs Huddersfield Giants), 8 July 2012

Most points in a game:

* 24 by Danny Orr (vs St Helens), 11 July 2003 – (3 tries, 6 goals)
* 24 by Kirk Dixon (vs Crusaders), 27 March 2011 – (2 tries, 8 goals)
* 24 by Jamie Ellis (vs Huddersfield Giants), 8 July 2012 – (1 try, 10 goals)
* 24 by Luke Gale (vs Leigh Centurions), 10 February 2017 – (2 tries, 8 goals)
* 24 by Luke Gale (vs Huddersfield Giants), 31 March 2017 – (3 tries, 6 goals)

Most tries in a season:

* 40 by Denny Solomona, 2016

Most goals in a season:

* 135 by Luke Gale, 2017

Most points in a season:

* 334 by Luke Gale, 2017

## Supporters

[edit]

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Castleford supporters at Wembley during the 2014 Challenge Cup Final.

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.[citation needed]

## Women's team

[edit]

Main article: Castleford Tigers Women

The Castleford Tigers Women's team was established in 2016.[77] They took part in the inaugural season of the Women's Super League in 2017[78] and won the League Leaders' Shield in 2019.[79] Castleford reached the final of the Women's Challenge Cup in 2018 and 2019 but lost to Leeds on both occasions.[80][81]

## Notes

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## References

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1. ^ "Castleford's promotion". Hull Daily Mail. No. 12,597. 18 February 1926. p. 2 - via British Newspaper Archive.
2. ^ Wilson, Andy (18 September 2006). "Cas crash leaves Matterson to rue 'crazy' British relegation fixation". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
3. ^ "Castleford stand-off Rangi Chase is 2011 Man of Steel". BBC Sport. 3 October 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
4. ^ "Castleford's coaching staff commit to club". Love Rugby League. 9 March 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
5. ^ "Challenge Cup final: Castleford Tigers 10–23 Leeds Rhinos". BBC Sport. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
6. ^ "Super League: St Helens win Shield after Catalan beat Castleford". Sky Sports. 13 September 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
7. ^ "Super League play-offs: St Helens 41-0 Castleford Tigers". BBC Sport. 19 September 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
8. ^ "Super League: Castleford Tigers 14-30 Warrington Wolves". BBC Sport. 25 September 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
9. ^ "Daryl Clark leads Castleford to Super League Man of Steel clean sweep". The Guardian. 8 October 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
10. ^ "Tributes for Castleford chairman Jack Fulton, who dies aged 83". SkySports.com. Sky Sports. 30 September 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
11. ^ "Castleford secure first league title after overpowering Wakefield". The Guardian. 17 August 2017.
12. ^ Cartwright, Phil (7 October 2017). "Grand Final 2017: Castleford 6-24 Leeds Rhinos". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
13. ^ "Luke Gale: Castleford half-back wins 2017 Steve Prescott Man of Steel award". BBC Sport. 3 October 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
14. ^ "Betfred Super League Dream Team: Six Tigers & eight new faces". Sky Sports. 26 September 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
15. ^ "Luke Gale: Castleford Tigers half-back out for three months with fractured kneecap". BBC Sport. 2 May 2018.
16. ^ "Salford Red Devils 22–0 Castleford Tigers recap". Sky Sports.
17. ^ "Season Review Castleford". www.superleague.co.uk. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
18. ^ "Challenge Cup semi-final: Castleford Tigers beat Warrington 35–20 to set up St Helens final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
19. ^ "How St Helens players have celebrated their first Challenge Cup win in 13 years". www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Archived from the original on 18 July 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
20. ^ "Terry O'Connor's 2021 Betfred Super League season review". www.skysports.com.
21. ^ Shaw, Matthew (19 March 2021). "'It is the right time' - Daryl Powell speaks out about his decision to leave Castleford Tigers". Yorkshire Live. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
22. ^ "Super League: Daryl Powell to leave Castleford Tigers at end of 2021 season". Sky Sports. 19 March 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
23. ^ "Season preview: Castleford Tigers". Super League. 26 January 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
24. ^ Bower, Aaron (25 August 2021). "Castleford Tigers duo set to leave as rebuild under Lee Radford continues". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
25. ^ "Super League: Dramatic late Aidan Sezer try sends Leeds Rhinos into play-offs at expense of Castleford Tigers". Sky Sports. 3 September 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
26. ^ Newsum, Matt (6 March 2023). "Lee Radford: Castleford Tigers coach leaves Super League club by mutual agreement". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
27. ^ "Andy Last: Castleford name England assistant as head coach after interim stint". BBC Sport. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
28. ^ "Andy Last: Castleford Tigers sack head coach after falling to bottom of Super League". BBC Sport. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
29. ^ Olawumi, Ben (22 September 2023). "Castleford Tigers ace Alex Mellor delivers brutally honest assessment of 'awful' season; 'We've massively underperformed'". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
30. ^ "2024 Season Preview: Castleford Tigers". Super League. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
31. ^ Olawumi, Ben (19 September 2023). "'We want to bring the age profile of our squad down': Castleford Tigers director speaks out as club release experienced heads Suaia Matagi & Greg Eden". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
32. ^ Smith, Peter (4 April 2024). "Castleford Tigers can take leaf out of rugby league rivals Wakefield Trinity's book says coach Craig Lingard". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
33. ^ Chapman-Coombe, Louis (18 September 2024). "Castleford Tigers recruitment update as Craig Lingard reveals budget change and 'movement' pledge". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
34. ^ O'Brien, James (18 September 2024). "Craig Lingard rates Castleford Tigers season ahead of final game at Huddersfield Giants". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
35. ^ Bower, Aaron (17 October 2024). "Castleford Tigers announce club takeover with new owner of Super League side revealed". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
36. ^ Harber, Tony (17 October 2024). "Castleford Tigers announce takeover with Martin Jepson taking control of club". Wakefield Express. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
37. ^ "Castleford sack head coach Lingard". BBC Sport. 21 October 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
38. ^ Walker, Callum (23 October 2024). "Castleford Tigers reveal how they have achieved Grade A license in major Super League improvement". TotalRL. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
39. ^ a b Humphries, Allan. "Early Days at the Jungle". Castleford Tigers Heritage Project. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
40. ^ Anderson, Tim. "BBC2 Floodlit Competition". Castleford Tigers Heritage Project. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
41. ^ "Super League: Castleford confirm stadium to be called Mend-A-Hose Jungle". Sky Sports. 29 August 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
42. ^ "VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: New name for Five Towns Park development as more images of scheme emerge". www.pontefractandcastlefordexpress.co.uk.
43. ^ "Non-material amendment to vary the wording of condition 8 of approved Planning Application 16/01544/FUL". planning.wakefield.gov.uk.
44. ^ a b "Senior twins signs Castleford contracts". BBC Sport. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
45. ^ "Castleford sign Parramatta Eels back Cini". BBC Sport. 21 August 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
46. ^ "Castleford sign Parramatta Eels back Asi". BBC Sport. 30 October 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
47. ^ "Castleford sign Papua New Guinea hooker Rimbu". BBC Sport. 1 November 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
48. ^ Olawumi, Ben (20 November 2024). "Castleford Tigers confirm return of youngster following Leeds Rhinos departure". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
49. ^ O'Brien, James (4 December 2024). "Castleford Tigers strengthen Papua New Guinea connection with signing of Dolphins forward". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
50. ^ O'Brien, James (11 February 2025). "Former Hull FC forward Nick Staveley handed chance to earn deal at Castleford Tigers". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
51. ^ "Castleford sign prop forward Silva from Barrow". BBC Sport. 18 March 2025. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
52. ^ "Tigers sign Singleton from struggling Salford". BBC Sport. 19 March 2025. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
53. ^ Darbyshire, Drew (19 December 2024). "Castleford Tigers bring in Warrington Wolves loanee as new signing departs". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
54. ^ "Castleford bring in Saints' Davies on initial loan". BBC Sport. 11 February 2025. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
55. ^ Walker, Callum (19 February 2025). "Castleford Tigers loanee returns to St Helens after just one game as Paul Wellens explains "difficult situation"". TotalRL. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
56. ^ Olawumi, Ben (19 February 2025). "Hull KR winger makes Super League switch following off-season move". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
57. ^ Craven, David (6 March 2025). "Super League coach left fed-up with two week loan deals". All Out Rugby League. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
58. ^ McAllister, Josh (7 April 2025). "Hull KR winger makes short-term Super League loan move to strugglers". All Out Rugby League. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
59. ^ "Broadbent joins Hull KR in Cas swap deal". BBC Sport. 23 April 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
60. ^ "Richardson signs permanent Hull KR deal". BBC Sport. 23 August 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
61. ^ "Cas captain and ex-Man of Steel McShane to retire". BBC Sport. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
62. ^ Bower, Aaron (6 November 2024). "Former Super League Man of Steel agrees deal to join Championship club". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
63. ^ a b c d e f g Chapman-Coombe, Louis (7 October 2024). "Castleford Tigers confirm nine first team departures, including six 2024 recruits". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
64. ^ Walker, Callum (23 November 2024). "Ex-Castleford Tigers forward Elie El-Zakhem's new club now confirmed". TotalRL. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
65. ^ Chapman Coombe, Louis (19 December 2024). "Papua New Guinea international returns to former club after Castleford Tigers exit". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
66. ^ "Leigh sign Castleford's Martin and Wigan's Brown". BBC Sport. 15 October 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
67. ^ Olawumi, Ben (31 October 2024). "Ex-Castleford Tigers forward makes Championship move after Super League stint". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
68. ^ Walker, Callum (18 December 2024). "Castleford Tigers forward leaves Super League club". TotalRL. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
69. ^ "Veteran forward Watts leaves Castleford". BBC Sport. 27 February 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
70. ^ "Hull FC sign Knight and Watts until end of season". BBC Sport. 4 March 2025. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
71. ^ Walker, Callum (12 March 2025). "Castleford Tigers fullback Luke Hooley makes short-term loan move". TotalRL. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
72. ^ Olawumi, Ben (25 March 2025). "Salford Red Devils snap up Castleford Tigers young gun as reason for move confirmed". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
73. ^ a b c "Club Staff Directory". Castleford Tigers. Archived from the original on 12 March 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
74. ^ David Smart & Andrew Howard (1 July 2000). "Images of Sport – Castleford Rugby League – A Twentieth Century History". The History Press Ltd. ISBN 978-0752418957
75. ^ Garbett, Ian; Garbett, Roy (14 August 2017). Castleford Rugby League Football Club: A Ninety Years Statistical & Pictorial Record 1926-2016. In memory of Len Garbett. Scratching Shed Publishing. ISBN 978-0995586109.
76. ^ RLRKC – Castleford Tigers Records
77. ^ "Castleford Tigers launch Women's team". www.rugby-league.com. 1 September 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
78. ^ "These Girl Can: The Wider Impacts of the Development and Growth of Women's & Girls' Rugby League (March 2021)" (PDF). Rugby Football League. p. 16. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
79. ^ "Castleford lift League Leaders' Shield". www.rugby-league.com. 18 September 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
80. ^ "Women's Challenge Cup: Leeds Rhinos women beat Castleford Tigers 20–14 to lift trophy". BBC Sport. 4 August 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
81. ^ "Women's Challenge Cup final: Castleford Tigers 10-16 Leeds Rhinos". BBC Sport. 27 July 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2023.

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