Dave Craven: Timing issue unlikely to hurt Castleford’s Super League status

This was billed as an emotional last season at the rickety but quirky old stadium with plans to move to Glasshoughton in 2012.

Eager fans have been lapping up every moment, whether it be standing on their favourite piece of terracing, mingling post-match with players outside those dated dressing sheds or simply enjoying a pie while savouring the atmosphere, knowing the end was nigh.

However, now they have been granted a stay of execution; the old lady will serve another season so bonhomie all around.

The only problem being it means their Super League status has, apparently, suddenly been cast into doubt again.

In discovering a new buyer for the PROBIZ Coliseum – Wheldon Road’s current guise – Castleford reckon they will generate around £50m which will easily fund their proposed new stadium and ease long-standing financial concerns but it will not be functional until 2013.

If these new plans go ahead, the land will be developed into a major food retail outlet rather than the original idea of it being used for housing.

The recent dramatic drop in the housing market meant Tigers would secure far more cash in an alternative market and that makes obvious business sense as they sell their main asset.

But with Rugby Football League rules governing that all Super League licence applications will be judged on current facilities if their new stadium is not ready for the start of next season, the Tigers are sitting a little uneasy.

Neighbours Wakefield have long been favourites to suffer demotion when the licence winners are awarded in July – the RFL will seemingly never dispatch the crowdless Harlequins or similarly contentious Crusaders – as they have recently been in administration and have their own problems with securing a new stadium at Newmarket given it is still bogged down in red tape.

Others were warned two years ago about the need to improve facilities but all of them – Salford City Reds, the Crusaders and St Helens – are on course to achieve their aim.

It seems ludicrous the RFL would make Castleford pay the ultimate price for their timing issue; it would be farcical to deny them a spot on the back of this one problem especially as their on-field performances have been so impressive this term and they have a raft of junior talent prospering in Super League. In all likelihood they won’t suffer at all.

As the race reaches its finale – all clubs are now finalising their applications while the RFL will announce on Thursday which Championship candidate of Widnes, Halifax or Barrow will be elevated in 2012 – Castleford should be safe.

They will, though, be praying for an uneventful day unfolding on Sunday when Crusaders arrive in town for the first time since the infamous incident involving Gareth Thomas last March.

It will be a year and a day since a handful of mindless ‘fans’ directed homophobic abuse at the Wales star in only his second game for the Crusaders at Wheldon Road.

Castleford were fined £40,000, halved on appeal, after being found guilty of breaching the governing body’s Respect policy, of misconduct by their supporters and of conduct prejudicial to the interests of the sport.

A repeat episode this weekend would genuinely jeopardise those hopes of maintaining their Super League status more so than any supposed ground issue.

The club have worked tirelessly to root out the idiots responsible and now play a recorded message when any unsavoury chanting starts.

It would be so refreshing if that is not aired once on Sunday.

The Tigers have outline consent for their new stadium and hope to get detailed planning permission on April 7.

But it will be completely wasted if they are not in Super League to enjoy it.