Jon Wells joins Castleford as Director of Rugby

Sky Sports presenter Jon Wells has joined Castleford in the new role of Director of Rugby.

Wells, 39, played 136 games for the Tigers starting his career with them in 1997 before going on to play for Wakefield and London Broncos.

For the past seven years he has been part of the Sky Sports rugby league team, a role he will continue alongside his new role at The Jungle.

He said: “This is an improving, progressive club with the potential now to establish itself as one of the top clubs in Super League for years to come. To be asked to help contribute in setting that agenda is both flattering and tremendously exciting.

“It’s a really good time to be coming back to the Tigers; great coaching staff, a brilliant and growing fan base, and talented and dedicated players that really do deserve to be competing in and winning the biggest matches in our sport.

“My job is to help provide the environment in which they can do just that.”

The news comes on the same day that Castleford announced that chief executive Steve Gill will be stepping down at the end of May.

Gill remain as a club director.

Current commercial director, Mark Grattan, will become the club’s Managing Director as part of the re-structure of the management team.

Club chairman Ian Fulton added: “We are delighted to welcome Jon to the club in the new role of Director of Rugby.

“Jon’s knowledge of rugby league and passion for Castleford Tigers is invigorating and we are sure he’ll be a great fit in this new role.

“This will allow Daryl and Mark to concentrate on their day to day roles with Jon providing the perfect link between both departments.”