Castleford Tigers have taken a major step forward with the club having taken on a new shareholder in the shape of Martin Jepson.
Jepson is a Real Estate giant and has put in a seven figure sum of money into the club and taking a 32% share of the club.
Jepson has underlined what he wants to achieve with the club which perhaps underlines a major problem with IMG.
This is because Jepson has underlined that his focus is on facilities rather than a successful side at this point in time.
This brings us onto his focus on the Jungle’s redevelopment which is a focus for Jepson.
He explained on BBC Sport West Yorkshire: “I think all we’re saying is it’s a seven figure sum. So, that’s significant. I don’t think anybody gives money away freely and without thinking. But I think that’s the right sort of investment to get the club through the next 12 months without then all the additional issues surrounding stadium and everything else, so let’s focus on what’s achievable in the next 12 months.
“The next 12 months focus has got to be on the facilities and the ground and everything else around those ranking points for the license. Yes we want to have a good team but I’m not here to be spending money on big marquee players for the hell of it. You know the focus for the next 12 months is to deal with those ranking points.
“So if I can put investment in the club that means that they can take some bolder decisions. Fantastic. I also want to be successful on the pitch but that’s for the other guys to deal with, although I think and I hope they’re a very different team next year. They’re quite an exciting team coming out there next year, they’ve got some young players players with a little bit to prove.
“I think it could be quite an exciting time next next year but it’s a team really I think to build on for the next few years. My involvement has to be to work on the infrastructure of the club and make sure that’s in a good place to take the club forward.”
