Powell switches to Castleford from neighbours Rovers

The Wheldon Road club – stranded at the foot of the table on seven points with London Broncos and Salford City Reds – ended their long search for a new coach by luring Powell from Championship neighbours Featherstone Rovers.

Ten years ago Powell, then a rookie coach, was handed the top job at Leeds Rhinos, but stood aside in November 2003 when the club appointed Tony Smith.

In the past decade the 47-year-old has worked with rugby union side Leeds Tykes and then Rovers.

He has signed a contract until 2015 and is determined to grab his second chance in Super League, undeterred by Castleford’s record of just three wins in 14 league games this season.

“Castleford’s a fantastic club,” said Pontefract-based Powell, who went to school at Castleford High School. “There’s all sorts of things been said and I’m not worried about any of that.

“I think the history of Castleford is superb and the structure of the club is solid. It needs somebody to get in there and live and breathe it.

“I have done that at Featherstone and I think I can go into Castleford and help every department to grow the club.”

Powell’s arrival caps a welcome 48 hours for Tigers supporters, with news that in-demand England international Rangi Chase will remain at Wheldon Road this season coming after Castleford beat Hull KR 32-24 on Sunday.

Danny Orr, who had four games as caretaker coach following the departure of Ian Millward, will remain as Powell’s No 2.

Powell, who led Rovers to the League Leaders’ Shield for the last three seasons and also engineered a Challenge Cup giantkilling of their Super League neighbours last season, added: “The players have shown they have the ability to win games, they just need to win them more consistently.”

Tigers’ chief executive Steve Gill said: “We have taken our time over the appointment of a new head coach because we wanted to ensure that we brought the right man on board and I’m convinced that Daryl Powell is that man.”

Castleford have not paid Rovers compensation for Powell and Gill said negotiations between the clubs were “amicable”.

Featherstone’s chief executive Craig Poskitt said: “We thank Daryl for his outstanding services to Featherstone Rovers. It was our duty to allow Castleford the opportunity to speak with Daryl and he decided that the move was the right direction for him to take.

“The club will now be on the lookout for a replacement that shares our vision and wants to be a part of the long-term future of the club in Super League.”

Tigers have no game this weekend and Powell’s first match will be away to Catalan Dragons on Saturday, May 18. His assistant Ryan Sheridan has taken over as Featherstone caretaker coach.