“Joke of a club” – Furious Castleford Tigers fans call for change after Leeds Rhinos defeat

Castleford Tigers ensured their Super League status last week as relegation rivals Wakefield Trinity finally ran out of games, however the Tigers still had plenty of pride to play for last night with a rivalry game against Leeds Rhinos.

The Tigers could have made it a clean sweep and three wins from three over their Yorkshire counterparts but they fell to a humiliating 46-0 defeat at Headingley.

Making it worse was the fact that they shipped such a large amount of points to a a Rhinos team that had been nilled in their previous two games, losing by an aggregate score of 111-0.

For Castleford it was the disappointing end to a disappointing season and brought back to reality the situation that the club find themselves in, securing just 12 points across the 27 game season.

That tally of 12 points is eight fewer than what saw London Broncos relegated, something that current interim Tigers boss Danny Ward would know about given he led the Broncos during that season.

Since taking the reins at the Jungle, Ward has overseen two wins from his six games but ultimately guided the Tigers to safety.

Despite that, some fans are now querying if he should be the man to take the team forward into the 2024 Super League season.

In response to Castleford’s post sharing the final score of 46-0, one fan aired his scepticism about the future.

“Appreciate Ward coming in, he won us 2 critical games. But 3 of our worst performances this season have come under him. I also appreciate the team are poor. But I’m really sceptical about the next couple of years. 11th at best next year. There’s some lads staying who are fodder.”

Meanwhile a defender of Ward explained how the current squad haven’t helped him, and that judgement needed to be reserved.

They posted on X: “I’ve seen people questioning Ward. It’s hard working with a group of players you didn’t sign. Who don’t want to play for us. Who aren’t arsed. Who aren’t fit. But a question exists about whether he can do any better with another squad he didn’t sign, or if any coach can.”

Fans were keen to show their appreciation for him but the question still remained for many.

“In the nicest way possible, is Danny Ward really the answer?”, another asked.

Rival fans were quick to jump on the result too, one Featherstone Rovers fan reposting the score stating: “Well Done Danny Ward. Get him extended.”

Other Castleford fans were far more passionate in their thoughts towards Ward and the current regime.

One said: “Joke of a club from top to bottom. Danny Ward isn’t the answer. Mark Gratton, get the f*ck out of our club.”

Whilst another referenced the three heavy defeats of 46-0, 48-6 and 66-12 that the Tigers had incurred under Ward’s reign.

“Danny ward must go!! Three disgusting performances Just couldn’t motivate these bags of s***”

One mark of positivity for the club was the debut performance of 17-year old Fletcher Rooney at full-back who came in for plenty of plaudits, from multiple Tigers fan accounts.

“Credit Fletcher Rooney tonight. The toughest of tough gigs. 80 minutes that will hopefully be massive for his progression and he showed some nice flashes. Well In.”

“Fletcher Rooney, Well done to him.. had a a great debut just shame he was one of the best in a shocking side tonight. Am sure he will have a big future in the game.”

One fan with praise for Rooney was incredibly critical of his teammates though.

“Fletcher Rooney, hold your head up. The rest, f*ck right off @CTRLFC Came to say goodbye and thank you to those leaving, this lot don’t deserve fuck all. Thank f*ck this year is done.”