Leeds Rhinos legends Danny McGuire and Danny Ward have both turned down Castleford Tigers with former London Broncos boss Ward turning down the Tigers first after keeping them in Super League before Hull KR assistant Danny McGuire followed suit.
Thus, there has been a massive question over who will take charge of the club in 2024?
After Featherstone Rovers missed out on promotion, there was a belief that it could be James Ford but this will not happen with Featherstone chairman Mark Campbell confirming that Ford will be staying on.
Thus, the obvious coach seems set to be Craig Lingard who is already at the club and unlike any new coach has been involved in recruitment already and has also been key to a couple signings such Luke Hooley.
Hooley began playing Rugby at amateur side, Dewsbury Moor before moving to Bradford Bulls’ academy at just 16. He joined Batley Bulldogs in 2020 and played in the 2022 Championship Grand Final with current Tigers Assistant Coach, Craig Lingard at the helm.
In 2023, Hooley joined Leeds Rhinos and made his Super League debut in March. While at Leeds, Luke went on loan back to Batley and featured in this year’s 1895 Cup Final.
Hooley joins the Fords with the goal of being a regular in Super League, and has set his sights on cementing his spot at the Jungle.
“I’m buzzing it’s finally done and I can focus on a massive 2024 pre-season for me personally and can look forward to the season ahead. I’m always grateful to Leeds for my debut and 8 games under my belt so now my goal is to nail down a weekly spot in a super league team.”
“He’s done a lot for me Craig (Lingard) and I can’t thank him enough, he gave me my shot at Batley and I took that opportunity with both hands, I’m expecting to do the same at Castleford with him as the Assistant. ”
“The Cas fans can expect me to give everything, try my best at everything I do and work hard for the team hopefully scoring some more tries.”
Former Batley teammate Josh Hodson is also making the move.
Hodson joins the Fords from Batley Bulldogs where he has featured 55 times since his move from London Broncos in 2021. Hodson is a centre, who has scored 24 tries for the Bulldogs in 54 appearances. He possesses speed, force and trickery to finish off tries in different ways.
Josh also played under Tigers assistant coach, Craig Lingard at Batley and was part of the side that reached the Championship Grand Final and the 1895 Cup Final.
Josh spoke to the club and is excited to be stepping back up to a full-time environment and is ready and raring to go in the Super League.
“I’m very happy! It’s an exciting time for myself to be joining a club like Castleford. I can’t wait to get started. I want to challenge myself and come up from the Championship and see how I handle myself in Super League.”
“It’s going to be very helpful working with Lingard as the assistant coach. I’ve worked with him at Batley so he understands how I work as a player. Hopefully that will allow me to develop further. Linners spoke highly of the club when we spoke and he was telling me about the set up of the club before I signed.”
“I’m glad to be back in a full time environment and giving myself the time to develop. I’ll be giving it my all. I like to carry the ball. I’m not going to be holding back and I’ll give it everything I’ve got to take the opportunity with both hands.”