July 2011: Castleford Tigers have today been advised that they will not be part of Super League for the three years from 2012. The RFL statement said that it was a close-run decision but the Tigers' failure to make a start on their proposed stadium was the deciding factor. There is no right of appeal - all clubs have waived that right. Widnes Vikings were told back in April that they would be the 14th and last team admitted for this franchise period. The Tigers currently lie 9th in Super League.
October 2011: In an astonishing climax to the season, Castleford Tigers have been crowned as the Super League Grand Champions. After creeping in to the play-offs in 8th place in the last round of the regular season, the Tigers have beaten Leeds, Warrington and St Helens, all away from home, before thrashing Wigan 33-2 in the final in front of a sell-out crowd at Old Trafford. Coach Terry Matterson said 'it's amazing what can be achieved when the players have something to prove and contracts to play for'.
The Tigers, of course, already know that they won't be in Super League from 2012. It is thought to be first time in any sport worldwide where the champions have been relegated, other than for disciplinary reasons.
An RFL statement said 'once again the RFL have demonstrated a ground-breaking, innovative approach and we expect other sports to follow our lead, as they have done before. We see no reason to reinstate the Tigers -there was an agreed, transparent selection process and they missed out this time, but they will be able to reapply for their licence in 2014.'
Tigers CEO, Richard Wright said that the club was elated with the victory but disappointed with loss of the super league licence. He went on to say 'We are pressing on with our stadium development at Glasshoughton and fully expect to be playing there when we next apply in 2014.'
Meanwhile the Tigers are planning for life in the championship - Andy Hay will be coach and Ryan Clayton club captain. Michael Wainwright is the only other player from the Grand Final winning team who will remain at the Tigers. All the players' contracts are null and void after relegation and the remainder of the 17 have all been awarded contracts by other Super League clubs, with no transfer fees to be paid.
Quote="Legionited"=#0080FFI had a very similar dream to this recently but it was Leeds in the final and we won with a full length interception try from Dean Widders in the dying seconds.
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Ha ha ,on Sunday Scott murrell gave an interception away we all looked shocked as it was a close game and the player had a clean ,albeit long run to the line but it was widders it went to ,so we looked at each other shrugged our shoulders and thought thank fook for that and laughed
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