Castleford Tigers - Super League 2008

Super League 2008

In a disappointing season the Castleford Tigers finished bottom of the Super League; however with no relegation for the first time in Super League history, the club was not overly concerned about that result. Their main concern in 2008 was fighting for a licence to play in the 2009 season. The 14 clubs who received a licence would, barring catastrophic financial reverses, stay in the Super League for at least 3 years with no risk of relegation. Ultimately, all of the teams from Super League XIII (2008), plus Crusaders and Salford, were accepted.

The Tigers got much publicity in 2008 by giving a trial to the shamed 100 m sprinter Dwain Chambers for a month, but he did not seem worthy of receiving a contract and was therefore released instead. He did help out with the local schools as well as play against York City Knights in a friendly game.

Castleford also added to their team throughout 2008 season with Matt Cook coming on loan until the end of the season from Bradford Bulls; however after a month he was called back into the Bradford team. They also got Brendan Hlad on loan from the Penrith Panthers until the end of the season, however he has not featured in coach Terry Matterson's plans much since his arrival, playing three games all from off the bench, and scoring no points.

At the same time Castleford added another body to the squad by signing former Wakefield Trinity Wildcats player Ned Catic from the French side Lyon XIII but he hasn't been offered another contract and Joined Barrow Raiders in the Championship. In June they signed Mitchell Sargent from NRL side Newcastle Knights on a 2 and half year deal. Unfortunately, Sargent's move had been held up by red tape due to delays in issuing work visas to players. The Tigers were hopeful he would join the club soon, and indeed he did after enlisting the help of local MP to the Pontefract and Castleford constituency, Yvette Cooper. He was a hit with the fans straight away and will be playing with Castleford for to 2009 season also.

In June they released Tom Haberecht from his 1 year deal, due to quota restrictions. This was to enable Sargent to join the club. Haberecht is currently on trial at local rivals Featherstone Rovers. In the same month the Tigers also loaned out young forward prospect Nathan Massey to Rovers and Jack Lee.

This season, with franchises on the horizon, has seen the Tigers retain four of their major squad players from the local area. Franchise licences are issued this season, with one of the criteria being home-grown players, an area the Tigers are making significant strides in. The first player to sign up to a new four-year deal was Joe Westerman, who was touted with a move to Leeds Rhinos, which turned out to be nothing more than mere speculation. Joe has been named in the current England squad for the World Cup. Following Joe into a new 4 year deal as well is Australian Ryan McGoldrick, who has been a figurehead and major PR puller for the club over the last couple of seasons. The Tigers also retained their longest serving player in the face of Craig Huby, who pen to paper on a 3 year deal. After several weeks of negotiations, and intense speculation that he was about to move to Bradford Bulls, Michael Shenton finally but pen to paper on a new 2 year deal, who, like Westerman has also been called up to the England squad for the World Cup. Following Shenton was Liam Higgins who put pen to paper on a 1 Year Deal with the club. Also Matterson has signed some top name players from the NRL in Rangi Chase, Dean Widders and Sione Faumuina. And when the Super League Transfer window opened cas signed England International player Stuart Jones from Huddersfield Giants on a 1 Year Deal. Also the Tigers have signed ex-captain Ryan Hudson on a 4 Year Deal from the Huddersfield Giants. Continuing recruitment for the 2009 season Castleford Tigers have also signed Chris Feather and James Evans - both on one-year deals and both from Bradford Bulls. Youngster Joe Arundel got promoted from the academy and is now joining the senior squad on a two-year deal at only 17 years old. James Ford is a winger who has signed a one-year deal at Castleford from Sheffield Eagles in the National League One.

Leaving Castleford Tigers will be Peter Lupton, who is now going to be joining Crusaders, Andrew Henderson; Castlefords captain both times they were relegated into the National League set up has been let go and his joining Gateshead Thunder to add to the already big number of ex-Castleford players. Adam Fletcher has been let go as has Ned Catic was released by The tigers and as joined Barrow Raiders, however. Mark Leafa will also be leaving and is now a free agent. Luke Dorn has left to join Harlequins RLFC - the team he scored a hat-trick against earlier in the season of 2008. Stuart Donlan has left to go back to hometown club Leigh Centurions. Scott Moore has finished his loan move and now will join Huddersfield Giants on a season loan from St. Helens. Awen Guttenbiel has retired and now will go back to Australia to hopefully continue on his coaching ambitions.