New Castleford Tigers owner reveals multiple interested investors

New Castleford Tigers owner Martin Jepson has revealed that he’s received several approaches about investment in the club.

It was confirmed on Thursday that Jepson had bought out Ian and Janet Fulton, taking his 32% of shares to almost 100% ownership of the Tigers with a few minor shareholders remaining at Castleford.

He confirmed that when speaking with BBC Radio Leeds on the deal, almost 12 months after first speaking with the outlet to confirm his initial investment.

“There are some small shareholders, but it’s effectively 100% control,” revealed Jepson, with the local businessman now living out every fan’s dream of owning their boyhood club.

Initially investing in December 2023, there has been a marked aim to improve facilities at Castleford Tigers under Jepson and it is expected that some of those off-field improvements will ensure the club’s Super League status when the IMG gradings are revealed next week.

He even confirmed that, noting: “Gradings get released next week. I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t have a fairly confident view that we’ll be a Super League team.”

Castleford Tigers owner hints at multiple interested investors

Despite boasting such confidence that Castleford will be a Super League team in 2025, Jepson has only penned an ‘option agreement’, something he would have to trigger before January 31st next year for the Tigers takeover to complete.

He quickly explained why that was the case as he put to bed any possible concerns that fans might have by explaining that there was a positive reason behind why it was only an ‘option agreement’ at the minute.

Clarifying, Jepson stated: “Even though it’s an option agreement, I have total management control. The reason we’ve entered into an option agreement is twofold really

“One is I’ve had a few people who have indicated that they want to invest in the club. So I need to really open that up.

“We’ve always said we’d welcome new investment into the club so now, there is a direct channel through myself for other people who may want to invest in the club.”

Further investment would potentially be huge for the club and help draw more signings, something he had spoken about earlier. The investment would also be hugely beneficial given the new stadium plans ongoing in the background as something will surely be both costly but also beneficial.

Jepson explained another reason why it remains an ‘option agreement’ only for now, explaining: “It gives me a chance to really understand the structure of the club and at the structure of what exists at the club here.

“I’m talking mainly about off-field and management opportunities here, but it gives me a bit of time to plan properly and work out what the future of the club could look like.”

With the club’s Super League status expected to be confirmed next week, he would also pay tribute to chairman Mark Grattan who has helped oversee much of the improvements expected to cement their status, something that was in doubt when Jepson first invested back in December 2023.

“I think at the time we originally spoke there was a lot of speculation that we would not be (in Super League). Gratitude there goes to the likes of Mark Grattan at the club who spent a lot of time in the weeds of the IMG system. I’m fairly confident that will be a success for us.”