Castleford link up with York for 2014

Castleford Tigers have today unveiled a new partnership with Kingstone Press Championship One side York City Knights.

The Tigers had formed a partnership with Keighley Cougars in 2013, while the Knights were linked up with Hull FC, but both partnerships ended prematurely.

As part of this agreement the two teams will face each other in a pre-season friendly at The Mend-A-Hose Jungle on Sunday 19thJanuary for the Paul Higgins Memorial Trophy. This will be the 5th time the Tigers have faced York for the Paul Higgins Memorial Trophy since its inaugaration in 2009, in honour of a well respected former coach who had close ties to both clubs.

Commenting on the partnership, Tigers’ Chief Executive Steve Gill said: “York City Knights are a club who share a lot of our own philosophies on the game so we are delighted to announce this link with them.

““Daryl Powell (Tigers’ Head Coach) felt very strongly about whom he wanted the club to partner with and I believe that we now have an excellent partner club who we can share thoughts and learnings with whilst also exploring the opportunities to utilise the dual-registration system, to the benefit of both clubs.”

“We have a strong relationship with York because of our links with their current Head Coach Gary Thornton who formerly coached our academy sides and is somebody who is held in very high regard here, and of course Daryl Powell who was previously involved with the Knights in a consultancy role.”

“We’re looking forward to welcoming them in January as they will provide us with a tough challenge on the field as part of our busy pre-season schedule.”

John Guildford, Chief Executive of York City Knights added: “This is an exciting partnership for us and Castleford Tigers. We are very keen to return to the second tier of English Rugby League and we feel really positively that our partnership with Castleford will help us to achieve our goal.”

Tickets for Castleford Tigers versus York City Knights at The Mend-A-Hose Jungle on Sunday 19th January (KO 1pm) are available now from the club shop in Carlton Lanes, by calling 01977 555 336 or on www.castigers.com