Fozzard still aims to make impact in new role

Rugby league legend Nick Fozzard has swapped the dressing room for the boardroom after being forced to call time on his playing days.

For the 35-year-old former Great Britain international has rejoined one of his former clubs, Castleford Tigers, as their new commercial director.

Fozzard was finally forced to hang up his boots earlier this week after a shoulder injury forced him to retire.

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He was hoping to have one last hurrah at Championship side Dewsbury Rams but a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder cut those plans short.

“My body has finally told me to pack in playing and I’ve listened to it,” said Wakefield-born Fozzard, who numbers Leeds, Huddersfield Giants, St Helens, Hull KR and the Tigers on an impressive CV.

“The time was right to retire from playing and I feel very fortunate to have had such a long and enjoyable career in the game.

“I’m now ready for the next chapter and look forward to embracing some new challenges off the field.”

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A Challenge Cup and World Club Challenge winner with St Helens, Fozzard became one of the most feared front-rowers in Super League with the Saints and was named in the 2007 Dream Team as a result.

His return to Wheldon Road – where he finished his Super League career last season – sees him link-up with former Saints coach Ian Millward and Fozzard believes two decades as a player means he has the ideal contacts in the game to make a success of his new job.

It has been a whirlwind few days for Fozzard.

He announced his retirement on Monday, his new Tigers role is due to be officially confirmed today and he will get his feet under the desk at the club on Monday ready for business.

“I was fortunate to have some different options open to me, but I was impressed by the ambition of the board and can see how Cas is a club with a very bright future, particularly with the new stadium on the horizon,” he said.

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“I’ve also enjoyed a very successful working relationship with (head coach) Ian Millward in the past; he’s very commercially aware and I’m excited about working with him once again.

“Everyone here was fantastic towards me when I played for the club and the fact I know the place and the people here makes it perfect for me. I want to make a difference and am determined to do so here with Cas.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know all the existing sponsors and better developing our partnerships. I’ll also be working hard on targeting new sponsors through new revenue ideas and will utilise my extensive network of contacts in the game and beyond in doing so.”

Tigers chief executive Richard Wright believes with a move to a new stadium in the pipeline, Fozzard’s arrival can help improve the club’s commercial revenues. Wright believes his natural nose for business, enthusiasm and standing in the game will help overcome his lack of experience.

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“I was very impressed with Nick at interview,” said Wright. “Although he has no previous experience working in this environment, the presentation he delivered where he laid out some innovative ideas and a very realistic strategy for growth showed that he has the business acumen to be a success.

“He also has masses of enthusiasm and charisma which are rare qualities that make him perfectly suited to this role.

“What’s more, he has amassed a wealth of contacts during his lengthy career in the game and these qualities, uniquely combined, will help make the attraction of large brands to the club much more possible than ever before in the our history.”

Castleford’s gain is Dewsbury’s loss, meaning the Rams have a big hole to fill in their squad.

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“I am gutted that we have lost a player of this calibre,” said Dewsbury coach Warren Jowitt. “He would not have been back for nine months and he is devastated that his career has ended.”

Andy Bostock returns from suspension to boost Daryl Powell’s options when Featherstone Rovers host Leigh Centurions in tonight’s Co-operative Championship match.

However, Stuart Dickens serves the second game of his two-match ban and Tim Spears begins his own two-match absence.

Rovers are aiming to back up last week’s victory at Keighley with a first home win in this year’s Championship.

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Powell said: “We weren’t great with the ball, but we were good enough to score four tries and that was enough to win the game.”

Former Halifax and Sheffield Eagles forward Ged Corcoran, 28, has been appointed as Ireland A coach.