Troubled Castleford see new stadium plans stall

Tigers chief executive Steve Ferres made the revelation at a meeting at Castleford’s Civic Hall on Tuesday night which he called to update fans on the club’s “precarious” financial position.

Castleford signed a deal last year with developers to sell and redevelop their ground as a supermarket, which would then fund a new £12m stadium at nearby Glasshoughton for which they have received full planning consent.

A move to a new stadium was said to be key to the club retaining their Super League status, especially with neighbours Wakefield making progress on their planned move to a new home.

However, Ferres, who until recently worked as a club support officer for the Rugby Football League, says RFL regulations are being relaxed because of the country’s economic difficulties and admitted the club’s efforts to build a new stadium had stalled.

“The board of directors agree we need to look at alternative stadium options, including re-development of the existing Wheldon Road site,” Ferres said.

“The RFL are mindful of the testing economic climate and how it is impacting on the game generally.

“As a result, licensing requirements are being relaxed to enable clubs to explore different routes to ensure they achieve Super League status.

“The redevelopment is, therefore, a realistic and much more cost effective option and, after the support we received for it from fans (on Tuesday), one which will be given serious consideration.”

Ferres, who is a former chief executive of Wakefield and succeeded Richard Wright at Castleford in July, told Tuesday’s meeting that the club urgently needed new investment and had targeted 5,000 season-ticket holders to ensure its survival.

“The current business model is not working,” he said. “We are falling short of the Super League’s model club and we, therefore, need to look at ways to work smarter and generate new revenue streams.

“We are working in extremely difficult times and it is clear that we aren’t the only club to be facing difficulties. Hull KR is one example who has already given an honest assessment of their current challenges.

“Identifying a new investor is integral to the club’s future and will be a priority for me as CEO.

“In the meantime, however, there are ways we can improve the way we work and increase revenue streams.

“The introduction of a new membership scheme as part of the 2013 season ticket is our first example.

“It would make no sense to heavily discount season tickets; we have seen the effects this has had on the likes of Bradford.

“Instead we want to offer more to our fans with increased access to players and the board, exclusive merchandise and discounts on a variety of local business through our savers scheme and all of which will give added value to a season ticket.”

Castleford finished next to bottom of the 14-team Super League in coach Ian Millward’s first season after ending the campaign with seven straight defeats and Ferres, a former head coach of Huddersfield, warned fans that the team face a potentially difficult year ahead.

The club have lost 11 members of their 2012 squad and signed six new players and Ferres revealed that there is little prospect of further additions without extra outside investment.

Ferres admitted the club would be prepared to sell England international Rangi Chase, the 2011 Man of Steel, who has three years left on his contract, if the deal suited the Tigers.

A proposed move to Hull recently fell through but, speaking on the eve of his departure with England for their training camp in South Africa, Chase revealed there is still interest from his former Australian club St George Illawarra and claimed Castleford would be happy for him to go.

Twins Tom and George Burgess have been named in the England Knights’ 19-man squad for this month’s Alitalia Cup.

Hull hooker Danny Houghton has been named as captain for the matches against Ireland in Belfast on Saturday, October 20, and Scotland in Edinburgh on Sunday, October 28.

Knights squad: J Broughton (Salford), G Burgess (South Sydney), T Burgess (Bradford), D Clark (Castleford), C Clarkson (Leeds), M Cooper (Warrington), K Dixon (London Broncos), G Eden (Huddersfield), R Evans (Warrington), L Gale (Bradford), D Houghton (Hull, capt), J Hughes (Wigan), B Jones-Bishop (Leeds), M Lawrence (Huddersfield), S Lunt (Huddersfield), C Riley (Warrington), D Sarginson (London Broncos), S Taylor (Hull KR), J Turner (Hull).

Grassroots teams will set out on the Wembley trail when the first qualifying round for the 2013 Challenge Cup takes place over the weekend of October 27-28.

Qualifying Round One draw: Featherstone Lions v Stanley Rangers, Eastmoor Dragons v Loughborough University, Underbank Rangers v Heworth, Dewsbury Celtic v Ovenden, East Leeds v Drighlington, Bank Quay Bulls v Castleford Panthers, Warrington Wizards v British Police, Askam v Millom, Blackbrook v Castleford Lock Lane, Northumbria University v Milford Marlins, Stanningley v Widnes West Bank, Normanton Knights v York Acorn, Bristol Sonics v Eccles, Kells v Egremont Rangers, Hunslet Old Boys v St Marys University, Rochdale Mayfield v University of Hull, Leeds Metropolitan University v Elland, Hunslet Warriors v Wigan St Judes, Bradford Dudley Hill v Bonymaen Broncos, Shaw Cross Sharks v Pilkington Recs.