Tigers to seek new coach as Matterson heads home

It had been widely expected the Australian would end his six-year stay when his current contract expires in order to take up an assistant’s role back home.

Hull KR’s Justin Morgan and ex-Bradford and Great Britain chief Brian Noble are set to be front-runners for the vacancy.

“I think it’s time to move on,” said Matterson, 44, who saw his young squad take a shock lead of Super League earlier this season for the first time in their history.

“I’ve had a fantastic time at Cas and am proud of the growth the club has experienced in my time.

“I’ve overseen the development of some outstanding juniors and am content on leaving it in good shape.”

The emergence of teenage talent such as Daryl Clark has been one of the highlights and, despite falling to seventh ahead of tomorrow’s trip to champions Wigan, the Tigers have a Carnegie Challenge Cup quarter-final against Huddersfield later this month and are still confident of achieving a play-off place.

Meanwhile, a petition supporting a supermarket development on their Wheldon Road ground has passed 15,000 signatures and will be handed to Wakefield Council tomorrow.

In March, developers Opus Land (North) Ltd agreed to provide the funds needed to construct a new 13,300 capacity stadium at Glasshoughton but only once the council has granted detailed planning permission for the supermarket plans.

That application is set to be submitted in August as Castleford – who yesterday announced goal-kicking winger Kirk Dixon, 26, has signed a new three-year deal – continue their quest to secure the ground move which is seen as crucial to their principal aim of securing a Super League licence.

Huddersfield Giants centre Joe Wardle, 19, has penned a contract until 2014 while Leeds Rhinos prop Ian Kirke has agreed to a two-year extension at Headingley Carnegie.