Castleford Tigers
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| Club information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Castleford Tigers Rugby League Football Club | ||
| Nickname(s) | Cas Tigers Classy Cas | ||
| Founded | 1926 | ||
| Current details | |||
| Ground(s) | The Mend A Hose Jungle (11,750) | ||
| Coach(s) |  Daryl Powell | ||
| Captain(s) | Michael Shenton | ||
| Competition | Super League | ||
| Records | |||
| Challenge Cups | 4 | ||
Castleford Tigers is an English professional rugby league football club based in Castleford, West Yorkshire.
Formed in 1926, Castleford was one of the twelve founder members of Super League when the new league format was introduced in 1996. The 'Tigers' nickname and logo were introduced in 1992 and the late-1960s represented their most recent period of success, with two Challenge Cup successes back to back in 1968-69 and 1969–70, The club's most recent major trophy was the now defunct Regal Trophy in 1993-94.
Castleford Tigers have rivalry with local teams Wakefield Wildcats, Featherstone Rovers and Leeds Rhinos. The club have been based at Wheldon Road since 1927.
The club's home colours are amber and black. Castleford Tigers player St John Ellis scored a record 40 league tries in the 1993–94 season.
History
Castleford RFC (1896-1906)
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 whatsoever with the present Castleford Tigers RLFC.
The early days
The successor team (who became Castleford Tigers) 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 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 Castleford Lock Lane for their second team, youth and junior teams to play on.The club went professional in 1926 and moved to their current home ground Wheldon Road in 1926.
The club soon started making a mark on northern rugby, winning their first major trophy when they topped the Yorkshire League in 1932, followed by the Challenge Cup in 1935. In 1938, they made it to the Championship finals, but failed to take the cup. World War II meant the league was suspended soon after, and Castleford officially abstained from league competition until the 1944-45 season.
Post World War Two
During the 1950s and early 1960s, Castleford failed to achieve anything remarkable. Their next major success would not come for some time, and 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 and 1970 saw Castleford win the Challenge Cup for two consecutive years.
During the 1970s Castleford edged up the league, and in 1984 they made it to the Premiership final, where they were beaten by Hull Kingston Rovers. However, 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.
This solid play was to come to fruition most spectacularly in 1994, when Castleford were dominating the league. As well as defeating Wigan Warriors to take the Regal Trophy, they were semi-finalists in the Challenge Cup and were also narrowly defeated in the Premiership final – and that season their coach, John Joyner, was named Coach of the Year by the Rugby League.
Summer era
Castleford added the 'Tigers' to their name in 1992. When a national Super League was suggested, Castleford resisted a merger with Wakefield Trinity and Featherstone Rovers, and went the unmerged team becoming a founder member of the Super League in 1996.
However, the team performed weakly at the start. With the resignation of coach John Joyner, the team avoided relegation by a whisker in 1997, finishing 10th of 12 teams.
However, 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. In 2000, the rise seemed to stall, as they repeated their fifth-place ranking and made the play-offs for a consecutive season.
They made the semi final of the Challenge Cup in 2002, In 2004 Castleford were relegated for the first time in the clubs history to Co-Operative Championship from the introduction of two divisions in the 1972-1973 Northern Rugby Football League season Castleford had spent 32 years in the top flight of British rugby league.
However, they finished second in the Co-Operative Championship in 2005 and were back in the Super League via play-offs, as well as competing in the Northern Rail Cup final, where they lost to Hull Kingston Rovers.
In 2006 Castleford yo-yoed back into the relegation zone, and lost to Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in an historic match at Wakefield’s Belle Vue (Wakefield), dubbed ‘The Battle of Belle Vue’. It was a fight to stay in the league, and when Castleford lost it they were relegated, despite a high points total and the fact that they did not even finish bottom of the league. This was because a new French side, Catalan Dragons, had been given immunity from relegation while they found their feet.
In 2007 Castleford again made a quick return to Super League as they finished top of the league with only one loss all season and defeated Widnes Vikings 42 - 10 in the Co-Operative Championship play-off final.
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 Rhinos in a 8-10 defeat after extra time.
Future
In 2011 Castleford signed a deal with developers who intended to redevelop the Wheldon Road ground as a supermarket. This deal would fund a new £12 million stadium at nearby Glasshoughton for which the club had received planning consent although in October 2012 it was announced that the club was considering the possibility of redeveloping Wheldon Road, rather than moving.
Supporters
Castleford Tigers have a large fanbase based on the size of the town by population/attendance records the support of Castleford Tigers is leading the way in Super League with 17.6% of the town population attending home games, the club have averaged a gate close to 8,000 per home game throughout the Super League era. The majority of Castleford's matchday support comes from primarily Castleford and the nearby towns of Kippax, Knottingley, Pontefract, Rothwell, Garforth, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Cross Gates along with fans who travel from Tadcaster, Selby, York, Scarborough, Northallerton, Gateshead, Doncaster and Barnsley.
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 KR 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 Vikings.
Castleford's fanbase includes a host of celebrity supporters, including England international cricketer Chris Silverwood, Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall, former Coronation Street actress Lucy-Jo Hudson and former Manchester United footballer Alan Smith.
Super League era
Finishing positions
1996: 9th in Super League I
1997: 10th in Super League II
1998: 6th in Super League III
1999: 5th in Super League IV
2000: 5th in Super League V
2001: 8th in Super League VI
2002: 6th in Super League VII
2003: 8th in Super League VIII
2004: 12th in Super League IX (relegated)
2005: 2nd place in Co-Operative Championship (promoted via playoffs)
2006: 11th in Super League XI (relegated)
2007: 1st place in Co-Operative Championship (promoted via playoffs)
2008: 12th in Super League XIII
2009: 7th in Super League XIV
2010: 9th in Super League XV
2011: 9th in Super League XVI
2012: 13th in Super League XVII
2013: 12th in Super League XVIII
Club statistics
Most tries in a season: 40 by St John Ellis 1993-1994
Most goals in a season: 158 by Sammy Lloyd 1976-1977
Most points in a season: 334 by Bob Beardmore 1983-1984
Most career tries: 206 by Alan Hardisty 1958-1971
Most career goals: 875 by Albert Lunn 1951-1963
Biggest win: 106-0 vs Rochdale Hornets, 9 September 2007
Highest attendance: 25,449 vs Hunslet, 9 March 1935
Club honours
Cups
Challenge Cup: 1934-35, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1985-86 (4 times)
- Runners-up 1991-1992
John Player Trophy: 1976-1977
Regal Trophy: 1993-94
BBC2 Floodlit Trophy: 1965-66, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1976-77 (4 times)
Yorkshire Cup: 1977-78, 1981–82, 1986–87, 1990–91, 1991-92 (5 times)
- Runners-up 1948–49, 1950–51, 1968–69, 1971–72, 1983–84, 1985–86, 1987–88, 1988–89
First tier of Rugby League
Yorkshire League: 1932–33, 1938–39, 1964–65 (3 times)
- Runners-up 1938-1939, 1968–69
- Runners-up 1983-1984, 1993-1994
Second tier of Rugby League
Co-Operative Championship:
- Grand Final Winners 2005, 2007 (2 times)
- League Leaders Shield 2007
Northern Rail Cup:
- Runners-up 2005
2014 squad
* Announced on 19 December 2013: 2014 Squad Numbers
| Squad No | Nat. | Player | Position | Contract | Previous Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
Jordan Tansey | Fullback | 2015 | York City Knights |
| 2 | |
Kirk Dixon | Winger, Centre | 2014 | Hull FC |
| 3 | |
Michael Shenton (C) | Centre | 2016 | St Helens |
| 4 |  |
Jake Webster | Winger | 2015 | Hull Kingston Rovers |
| 5 |  |
Justin Carney | Winger, Centre | 2014 | Sydney Roosters |
| 6 | |
Luke Dorn | Stand Off, Full Back | 2015 | London Broncos |
| 7 |  |
Marc Sneyd | Half Back | 2014 | Salford City Reds - Season Loan |
| 8 | |
Andy Lynch | Prop | 2015 | Hull FC |
| 9 | |
Adam Milner | Hooker, Stand off | 2016 | Castleford Tigers |
| 10 | |
Craig Huby | Prop | 2014 | Castleford Tigers |
| 11 | |
Grant Millington | Second Row, Prop | 2013 | Canterbury Bulldogs |
| 12 | |
Weller Hauraki | Second Row, Prop | 2014 | Leeds Rhinos |
| 13 | |
Nathan Massey | Loose Forward, Prop | 2013 | Castleford Tigers |
| 14 | |
Daryl Clark | Hooker | 2016 | Castleford Tigers |
| 15 | |
Ryan Boyle | Prop | 2014 | Salford City Reds |
| 16 | |
Oliver Holmes | Second Row, Loose Forward | 2014 | Castleford Tigers |
| 17 | |
Lee Gilmour | Second Row, Centre | 2014 | Huddersfield Giants |
| 18 | |
Frankie Mariano | Second Row | 2014 | Wakefield Wildcats |
| 19 | |
Scott Wheeldon | Prop | 2015 | Huddersfield Giants |
| 20 | |
Jamie Ellis | Half Back | 2014 | Hull FC |
| 21 | |
Ashley Gibson | Centre | 2015 | Salford City Reds |
| 22 | |
Richard Owen | Full Back, Winger | 2015 | Castleford Tigers |
| 23 |  |
Michael Channing | Centre | 2015 | London Broncos |
| 24 | |
James Clare | Winger, Fullback | 2016 | Castleford Tigers |
| 25 | |
Daniel Fleming | Prop | 2014 | Castleford Tigers |
| 26 | |
Liam Finn | Scrum Half | Featherstone Rovers | |
| 27 | |
Charlie Martin | Second Row, Prop | 2014 | Castleford Tigers |
| 28 | |
Ben Reynolds | Fullback, Stand off | 2013 | Castleford Tigers |
| 29 | |
Brett Seymour | Half Back | 2014 | Hull FC |
| 30 | |
Jordan Howden | Prop | 2014 | Castleford Tigers |
2014 transfers
Ins
| No In | Name | Moved From | Contract Length | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Ryan Boyle | Salford City Reds | 1 ½ Years | June 2013 |
| 2nd | Frankie Mariano | Wakefield Wildcats | 1 Year | August 2013 |
| 3rd | Ashley Gibson | Salford City Reds | 2 Years | August 2013 |
| 4th | Luke Dorn | London Broncos | 2 Years | September 2013 |
| 5th | Brett Seymour | Hull FC | 1 Year | September 2013 |
| 6th | Scott Wheeldon | London Broncos | 2 Years | September 2013 |
| 7th | Andy Lynch | Hull FC | 2 Years | September 2013 |
| 8th | Michael Channing | London Broncos | 2 Years | September 2013 |
| 9th | Liam Finn | Featherstone Rovers | ? Years | December 2013 |
Outs
| No In | Name | Moved From | Contract Length | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Jacob Emmitt | Salford City Reds | 2014 | May 2013 |
| 2nd | Steve Nash | Dewsbury Rams | 2014 | June 2013 |
| 3rd | Rangi Chase | Salford Red Devils | 2014 | September 2013 |
| 4th | Jordan Thompson | Hull FC | 2014 | September 2013 |
| 5th | Jonathan Walker | Hull KR | 2016 | October 2013 |
| ? | Keith Mason | No club confirmed yet | No new deal | |
| 7th | Ben Johnston | Halifax RLFC | 2014 | September 2013 |
Players earning international caps while at Castleford
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Other notable players
These players have either; played in a Challenge Cup, or Yorkshire Cup final, or played in Yorkshire League winning teams, received a Testimonial match, are Hall Of Fame Inductees, were international representatives before, or after, their time at Castleford, or are notable outside of rugby league, other players can be found in the List of Castleford Tigers players.[2]
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Honours
- Challenge Cup winners: 1934-35, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1985-86 (4 times)
- Yorkshire Cup winners: 1977-78, 1981–82, 1986–87, 1990–91, 1991-92 (5 times)
- Yorkshire League winners: 1932-33, 1938–39, 1964-65 (3 times)
- Regal Trophy winners: 1976-77, 1993-94 (2 times)
- BBC2 Floodlit Trophy winners: 1965-66, 1966–67, 1967–68,1976/77, (4 times)
- National League One winners: 2005, 2007
- National League One League Leaders: 2007
Records
Super League era
Player records
- Most tries in a game:-
4 by Waine Pryce (vs Wakefield Trinity Wildcats) 1 September 2002
4 by Rangi Chase (vs Harlequins Rugby League) 29 May 2011
4 by Kirk Dixon (vs Wakefield Wildcats) 25 May 2013
4 by James Clare (vs Wakefield Wildcats) 8 September 2013
- Most goals in a game:-
10 by Jamie Ellis (vs Huddersfield Giants) 8 July 2012
- Most points in a game:-
24 by Kirk Dixon (vs Crusaders Rugby League) 27 March 2011 - (2tries, 8goals)
24 by Jamie Ellis (vs Huddersfield Giants 8 July 2012 - (1try, 10goals)
- Most tries in a season: 23 by Darren Rogers 1999
- Most goals in a season: 114 by Wayne Bartrim 2002
- Most points in a season:-
Danny Orr - 244 (1999)
Appearances - 35
Tries - 12
Goals - 97
Drop Goals - 2
Kirk Dixon - 244 (2011)
Appearances - 25
Tries - 10
Goals - 102
Team records
- Biggest win: 106-0 vs Rochdale 9 September 2007
- Heaviest defeat: 4-72 vs St. Helens, 13 August 2006
- Highest attendance: 11,731 vs Leeds Rhinos, 7 March 2004
All Time
Player records
- Most tries in a game: 5 by John Joyner (vs Millom) 16 September 1973, Derek Foster (vs Hunslet) November 1972, Steve Fenton (vs Dewsbury) 27 January 1978, Ian French (vs Hunslet) 9 February 1986 & St. John Ellis (vs Whitehaven) 10 December 1989
- Most goals in a game: 17 by Geoffrey "Geoff" '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: 40 by St. John Ellis 1993-94
- Most goals in a season: 158 by Sammy Lloyd 1976-77
- Most points in a season: 334 by Bob Beardmore, 1983–84
- Most career tries: 206 by Alan Hardisty 1958-71
- Most career goals 875 by Albert Lunn 1951-63
- Most career points: 1870 by Albert Lunn 1951-63
Players with 300+ appearances[3]
| Rank | Appearances | Player | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 613 | John Joyner | 1972-1992 |
| = 2 | 431 | Artie "Bruss" Atkinson | 1926-1942 |
| = 2 | 431 | Dean Sampson | 1987-2005 |
| 3 | 401 | Alan Hardisty | 1958-1971 |
| 4 | 389 | Thomas L. Taylor | 1931-1946 |
| 5 | 373 | George Lewis | 1929-1945 |
| 6 | 363 | Albert Lunn | 1951-1963 |
| 7 | 346 | Keith England | 1982-1994 |
| 8 | 344 | Kenneth Pye | 1950-1963 |
| = 9 | 338 | Harold Haley | 1932-1948 |
| = 9 | 338 | Trevor Briggs | 1965-1978 |
| 10 | 329 | Keith Hepworth | 1958-1972 |
| 11 | 328 | Clive Dickinson | 1963-1975 |
| 12 | 325 | George Howard | 1948-1959 |
| 13 | 323 | Robert Spurr | 1968-1983 |
| 14 | 320 | Michael Redfearn | 1965-1977 |
| 15 | 316 | Malcolm Reilly | 1967-1986 |
| 16 | 315 | Peter Small | 1958-1969 |
| 17 | 313 | Kevin Ward | 1978-1990 |
| 18 | 309 | Derek Edwards | 1960-1972 |
| 19 | 306 | Martin Ketteridge | 1984-1995 |
| 20 | 301 | John Sheridan | 1955-1966 |
Team records
- Rugby Football League Championships: None. 1926–Present day
- Biggest win: 106-0 vs Rochdale Hornets, 9 September 2007
- Heaviest defeat: 4-72 vs St Helens, 13 August 2006
- Highest attendance: 25,449 vs Hunslet 9 March 1935
- Most Tries In One Season By A Single Player: 40 - St John Ellis, 1993/94 Season
Sources
References
- ↑ "The History Of Rugby League". Rugby League Information. napit.co.uk. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ↑ "Listing of every player to ever play for Castleford RL". thecastlefordtigers.co.uk. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
- ↑ David Smart & Andrew Howard (1 July 2000). "Images of Sport - Castleford Rugby League - A Twentieth Century History". The History Press Ltd. ISBN 978-0752418957
External links
- Official site
- Unofficial Forum (Casforum)
- Unofficial Castigers.net
- Aye Of The Tigers Fanzine
- Unofficial site
- Supporters Club Website
- Tigers stadium moves a step closer (from the BBC)
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