Chris Chester speaks out to clarify Castleford Tigers situation after former player’s tweet

Director of rugby Chris Chester says there are “no issues” at Castleford Tigers and concerns about late payments to departing players have been “blown out of proportion”.

Chester today hit back at former Tigers forward George Griffin after he took to social media to complain following successive delayed payments.

Griffin, who has signed for Sheffield Eagles after leaving Castleford at the end of the 2025 season, blasted Castleford in a message on X, formerly known as Twitter.

He wrote: “I really didn’t want to leave Castleford Tigers on a bad note as I enjoyed my time there, but for consecutive months now myself and everyone else that has left the club has received their contractual payment late and have been unable to pay their bills.

“No one at the club seems to know what’s going on or passes blame to others. It seems Castleford Tigers need to stop shopping at Netto for their staff and start looking elsewhere.”

Chris Chester clarifies Castleford Tigers’ situation

But, speaking at a press conference to introduce new coach Ryan Carr, Chester insisted: “I think it’s disappointing to be sent it first and foremost on social media. All contracted players and staff were paid on Friday and the players that all signed compromise deals were paid today.

“As a club, we should have communicated that a little better, but I think everything has been blown out of proportion.”

He added: “There are no issues at the club. It’s indicative of the kind of culture we’ve had at the club in the past that they feel the need to put it out on their social media. We should have communicated that a little better, but it has all been sorted.”

Griffin’s supermarket reference appears to be a dig at Chester who, speaking in August about plans to strengthen Tigers’ squad for next season, said: “We’ve been shopping at Netto in the past, but now we’re shopping at Sainsbury’s.”

Asked if he regretted his comment, Chester said: “No, not really. I said that in the moment and I wish George Griffin well at Sheffield Eagles. We have moved on as a club and signed some top-quality individuals; top-quality players, top-quality people. The culture will be a different culture than we have had in the past.”