Quote Dear Season Ticket Holder, I am not going to hide behind the fact that 2012 has been a difficult season for you as a fan of the Castleford Tigers. We have struggled with numerous injuries to our key players, and without a deep enough squad to select from, our overall performance has suffered. Sunday’s defeat against our local rivals Wakefield Trinity Wildcats brought about a new low at the club. Our performance on and off the field leaves a lot to be desired, and clearly performances like this can not be tolerated and we are determined to improve. At this time of year, we usually write to you regarding your Season Ticket renewal with various offers to encourage you to renew your ticket as early as possible.This year however, things need to be different. I want you to know that as the new Chief Executive, I am fully committed to Castleford Tigers and to you, our most loyal fans. I know that you have not been happy with regards to our on field performance and the general running of the club and believe me neither have I, but I would like to reassure you that I am absolutely determined to improve the situation both on and off the field. I’ll get straight to the point. This year, if we want to see a stronger squad and our ambition is improved performance, then I cannot offer you a ridiculously cheap season ticket package. The ‘Pledge’ type campaigns that have been offered by Wakefield, Huddersfield and most tragically, Bradford are not a way of improving the situation for any of us. We may achieve higher ticket sales initially, but the lack of overall revenue would not allow us to grow our business so we can re-invest in players. I know that you have been promised a new Stadium, which would enable us to attract more investment from local businesses and offer additional uses for our stadium to promote conferences and concerts. A lot of hard work and many man hours has gone in to delivering what would be a fantastic facility and we will be in a position to give you an update on this next week. In the meantime however, we need to focus on what we can do now and I can’t tell you how important your support for the club is to us, now more than ever. So, whilst we can't offer you a discount this year, we can provide you with added benefits to your Season Ticket package. We want you, our most loyal supporters, to really become a part of the club via a brand new membership scheme which will be included in every Season Ticket package. This will give you a whole host of benefits including exclusive merchandise, over £150 of discount vouchers, a savers card at outlets you regularly use, money off official merchandise and most importantly invitations to exclusive events such as Q&A evenings with myself and the players and opportunities to help us make decisions on certain aspects of the club. We are still finalising the scheme at present, but will have something firm to share with you shortly. In the meantime, please bear with us. We know things are at a very low point, but I am ambitious and will make changes to ensure that we do things differently and better, and that’s across all aspects of our club. Whilst we can't offer a discount on your season ticket, we can promise that we will strive to ensure you get more out of it, so please invest in our future and join us again next season. If you want to get in touch, then please e mail us at info@castigers.com or call us on 01977 552674. Yours, Steve Ferres'"

Quote Dear Season Ticket Holder, I am not going to hide behind the fact that 2012 has been a difficult season for you as a fan of the Castleford Tigers. We have struggled with numerous injuries to our key players, and without a deep enough squad to select from, our overall performance has suffered. Sunday’s defeat against our local rivals Wakefield Trinity Wildcats brought about a new low at the club. Our performance on and off the field leaves a lot to be desired, and clearly performances like this can not be tolerated and we are determined to improve. At this time of year, we usually write to you regarding your Season Ticket renewal with various offers to encourage you to renew your ticket as early as possible.This year however, things need to be different. I want you to know that as the new Chief Executive, I am fully committed to Castleford Tigers and to you, our most loyal fans. I know that you have not been happy with regards to our on field performance and the general running of the club and believe me neither have I, but I would like to reassure you that I am absolutely determined to improve the situation both on and off the field. I’ll get straight to the point. This year, if we want to see a stronger squad and our ambition is improved performance, then I cannot offer you a ridiculously cheap season ticket package. The ‘Pledge’ type campaigns that have been offered by Wakefield, Huddersfield and most tragically, Bradford are not a way of improving the situation for any of us. We may achieve higher ticket sales initially, but the lack of overall revenue would not allow us to grow our business so we can re-invest in players. I know that you have been promised a new Stadium, which would enable us to attract more investment from local businesses and offer additional uses for our stadium to promote conferences and concerts. A lot of hard work and many man hours has gone in to delivering what would be a fantastic facility and we will be in a position to give you an update on this next week. In the meantime however, we need to focus on what we can do now and I can’t tell you how important your support for the club is to us, now more than ever. So, whilst we can't offer you a discount this year, we can provide you with added benefits to your Season Ticket package. We want you, our most loyal supporters, to really become a part of the club via a brand new membership scheme which will be included in every Season Ticket package. This will give you a whole host of benefits including exclusive merchandise, over £150 of discount vouchers, a savers card at outlets you regularly use, money off official merchandise and most importantly invitations to exclusive events such as Q&A evenings with myself and the players and opportunities to help us make decisions on certain aspects of the club. We are still finalising the scheme at present, but will have something firm to share with you shortly. In the meantime, please bear with us. We know things are at a very low point, but I am ambitious and will make changes to ensure that we do things differently and better, and that’s across all aspects of our club. Whilst we can't offer a discount on your season ticket, we can promise that we will strive to ensure you get more out of it, so please invest in our future and join us again next season. If you want to get in touch, then please e mail us at info@castigers.com or call us on 01977 552674. Yours, Steve Ferres'"

Yes... That was ... Interesting

Sounds pretty ominous regarding the stadium. At least there seems to be an element of understanding from Steve that was rarely brought across in RW's updates...

Initial thought when I read it was that I'd rather have a bit more involvement than an early bird discount. I await the details with baited breath, as well as next week's stadium update.

Commitment - Ambition - Determination. The man speaks of the sacred 3 elements in business quite eloquently. I like this new guy Steve Ferres.

Of the 3 season ticket holders in my house none of us got this email !

I got a letter

I can’t help but notice the little dig at us in there.



Our season ticket pledge has been a great success. Unlike Huddersfield and Bradford we still have a healthy walk up support that pays on the day. We sold 4k season tickets and are averaging 8.5K compared to 6k last season. You do the sums. A brilliant investment into our supporter base. To use the words “ridiculously cheap” is nothing but hyperbolic language that Dickie Wright himself would be proud of. It’s a shame I used to have a lot of respect for Steve but its slowly seeping away.

My son received his email but I didn't. I contacted the club and Tom replied that they sent mine to addresss I used years ago. Maybe another example of things not being kept up-to-date.

Heard Steve Ferris talking last Sunday at the 20's game, when asked how he was he replied with a shake of the head "too much to work through".

What I like is the guys honesty and I hope that he can sort things out before he loses his faith.

deeHell - go away

Guess we can expect his resignation first thing Monday then.

BTW, just to give you a hand: Scroll down to the right...check the arrow where it says 'jump to' and choose 'Wakefield Trinity Wildcats'. People on there may possibly interested in your opinions. All the best.

The email has NOTHING to do with them. It's about our club, our predicament and SF is giving an honest assessment of where we're at right now. We aren't in a great place, but flogging season tickets for a ton aint going to improve our business.

very well said you two

Club in 'not psychic' shocker

Absolutely!

Well, apart from the bit where he specifically mentions Wakefield and criticises their ST structure.

And, without a hint of irony, on a weekend where you are offering "Bring a friend for free".

That's not Ferris - it's RW wearing a Ferris mask!

After last Sunday i wasn't going to the London game and wasn't getting another season ticket.

But i have decided to give the new C.E.O a chance, it was a refreshing e.mail,very honest and made it very clear that this seasons disaster wouldn't be repeated or tolerated. The coach is recruiting players he wants so he has no excuse if we don't start well next season...if not he will be sacked.

In short i will renew for next season and look forward to the match today...hope Johnston has a good game.

Of course it has nothing to do with us so why the sly dig at us? The guys playing to an audience, Richard Wright style. There is nothing wrong with our season ticket offer it’s been a great success, that’s why it’s been repeated again next year but with an increase to £125. Nothing ridiculous about investing in your supporter base in a sound sensible financial manner. To put us in the same sentence as Bradford and Hudds is a joke and the man knows it.

Well done to Wakey this season but Christ you are a touchy individual.

Ever thought Ferris could of just made a mistake?....not that you ever make one of course