Cas announce departure

Castleford Tigers have announced forward Alex Foster will leave the club at the end of the 2021 season.

The 27-year-old initially joined the club on trial terms back in 2017 after a move to Bradford Bulls fell through as a result of the club’s financial problems at the time.

In his first season with the club, he helped the club win the League Leaders Shield, and claimed a try at Old Trafford during the Tigers’ 24-6 defeat against Leeds Rhinos in the Super League Grand Final.

Since arriving at the club, Foster has made over 60 appearances for the club, scoring nine tries.

Reacting to the news, Foster said:“Playing for this club has meant everything. From the moment I came here to now, it has been incredible. I was welcomed with open arms and Stu Vause (Head Groundsman) was the first person I met, and he just put his arm around me and told me that I was going to enjoy myself here, and he wasn’t wrong.

“What I have accomplished in the time I have had here, I never thought I would. I thought I would never play Super League again after leaving Leeds in the early part of my career. The opportunity that this club has given me has been incredible.

“It has been one hell of a journey and I am so thankful to everyone involved, from the coaching staff to the fans, my teammates as well who have made my time here what it has been for me.”

Head Coach Daryl Powell added:“After coming in as a trialist Fozzy quickly embedded himself into the club. The way he is as a guy, he’s pretty softly spoken but you put him out on the field, and he is a warrior. It’s unfortunate he had injuries to deal with, but he is great.

“Fozzy’s adaptability and versatility are two of his biggest strengths, you put him in the middle and he is awesome, he can really bottle up a middle with his tough defensive work, but then you can put him in the centre or back-row – he will play pretty much anywhere, he is that kind of guy.

“We have built our club on good people, he absolutely 100% fits that, he’s been an absolute pleasure to coach.”