Castleford Tigers: A Challenging Journey Back to the Top
Castleford Tigers have endured a string of challenging seasons, with the 2023 campaign seeing the club finish in 11th position, following back-to-back 7th place finishes in 2021 and 2022, and a 9th place finish in 2020. However, the Tigers were once a force to be reckoned with in Super League, most notably lifting the League Leaders’ Shield in 2017, only to be denied the Grand Final victory by the Leeds Rhinos that year.
The 2024 season has been a mixed bag for the Tigers so far, with just one win in their opening eight games. But under the guidance of head coach, Craig Lingard, the club appears to be finding a better groove, having secured three wins and a draw in their last 12 games. The Tigers now face a crucial encounter against the Leeds Rhinos as they look to salvage something from the campaign.
Lingard’s Perspective
Lingard believes that Castleford are still some way off challenging at the top of Super League, stating that it could take several years before the club is ready to compete for honours. The Tigers have completed some mid-season transfers, such as the arrival of Tex Hoy from Hull FC, who has added a much-needed spark to their attack.
However, Lingard acknowledges that the transfer market is posing a significant challenge for teams like Castleford. With players commanding higher salaries due to increased competition, the Tigers’ smaller budget makes it difficult to attract some of the top talents. Lingard said:
“With the market being as it is, some of the players are commanding a lot of money. Once one player is out there, there’s going to be four, five, six clubs that are going to be fighting for them.”
A Long-Term Vision
Despite the obstacles, Lingard remains optimistic about Castleford’s long-term prospects. He believes that the club is on a “two or three-year journey” where they will aim to be challenging for a top-six finish, and potentially for honours, by the end of that period. The Tigers’ faithful will be hoping that their team can navigate these challenging times and return to the heights they once reached in the Super League.
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