http://www.ayberspace.co.uk/ Independent Castleford Tigers RLFC news, views, comment and humour from the Aye of the Tigers http://www.ayberspace.co.uk/ayberspace/php-files/news.php?readmore=309 More good news today (we've always said it's like buses) is that the long awaited transfer of Mitchell Sargent from Aussie club the Newcastle Knights is finally concluded. It seems he's not a member of the Taliban after all, so the authorities have signed off the necessary paperwork and Mitch is even now winging his way to Wheldon Road to join his team mates. Sargent will, we're told, be available to play in the vital four-pointer against Huddersfield next week and will even be here in time to be introduced to fans at this weekend's Franchise p*ss up: 'License-2-Party'. Could today get a lot better?]]> http://www.ayberspace.co.uk/ayberspace/php-files/news.php?readmore=308 So that's it then... Cas have the Super League license. Phew. Pats on the back all round and let's have a party! The job is done... Or is it? Well it'd be a pretty cruel person to deny Cas at least moment of relaxation after all the recent tension, and indeed with no fixture this weekend the club have managed to quickly organise a bit of a celebratory boozy do for Sunday. The ale starts flowing down at the Jungle at noon, so everyone ought to get down there and - for a while at least - bask in the knowledge of the team's guaranteed Super League status for the next three years. But we shouldn't forget the job's not done by any means. It's only just started... Read More...]]> http://www.ayberspace.co.uk/ayberspace/php-files/news.php?readmore=307 Thank F**K for that!! After all the waiting and everyone saying they we're confident, etc, it was still a nervy time just before Richard Lewis announced the decision live on Sky Sports. But Cas HAVE secured a three year Super league franchise along with... Bradford, Catalans, CELTIC CRUSADERS, Harlequins, Huddersfield, Hull, Hull KR, Leeds, Saints, SALFORD CITY REDS, Wakey, Warrington and Wigan. So its heartfelt disappointment for those who missed out, especially Widnes who must be devastated - but for us it's trips to Taffy land and the heart of Manc land for the boys next season! Click on the Link for the official reaction from the club... ]]> http://www.ayberspace.co.uk/ayberspace/php-files/news.php?readmore=306 Less than twenty four hours to go now and, despite the outwardly confident mood of everyone involved, the possibility of being awarded a Super League franchise – or more accurately, the fear of not being – is easily sufficient to overturn the joy felt after a thirteen try romp at the Stoop yesterday. Talk to anyone down the lane about franchises and the vast majority of replies will be in the affirmative – we will be in the Super League next season. The club are even selling tickets for next year’s ‘Magic’ weekend on the website and releasing pictures of next season’s shirt complete with SL logos on the arms. So why are we worried? Click Read More...]]> http://www.ayberspace.co.uk/ayberspace/php-files/news.php?readmore=305 Terry Matterson has made no secret of his aim to get the Tigers off the bottom of the table by the end of the season, but with FC winning the Hull derby earlier today it looks like Cas have only got one chance left of catching anybody... and that's the Giants. So with Shudds coming to the Jungle next time out they really needed to close the gap with a win today. And did they... A bright start from Cas led to a confortable 28-12 lead at the turnaround but with memories of that Cup reversal still painful in our minds it was clear the job wasn't done. Maybe the team realised that, because they came out after the break and took Quins apart, grabbing easily this season's record win as they cruised to a 66-12 victory... Match report up now click HERE ]]> http://www.ayberspace.co.uk/ayberspace/php-files/news.php?readmore=304 After a call to fans for shirt designs and a public vote from a three strong shortlist, the Tigers have today announced the winning design for 2009's campaign (right). The black sleeved, amber bodied hooped design isn't too bad at all, at least not for those of us who still remember the white one with the big tiger on the front. So whether the team improves it's on the field performances or not, at least we'll be nicely turned out. No news on shorts/socks yet, but we reckon they'll be best off black to go with that shirt. Of course, we're not going to comment on the fact that the artist's mock up released by the club still has Super League badges on it. With the franchise announcements just moments away (see top right panel) that really would be tempting fate. Still. It's nice to see the club being a bit proactive and including the fans a bit. Now if they really want to impress, they'll have the thing in the club shop in time for Xmas! Have your say on the new shirt design HERE.]]> http://www.ayberspace.co.uk/ayberspace/php-files/news.php?readmore=303 We hesitate to say this (because every time we do it backfires) but Cas really won't get a better opportunity to grab their second away win of the season on Sunday. With the 'brawl' during London's game last week resulting in bans for five of their first team squad it's a thin looking nineteen named to face the visiting Tigers. Of course, the last time we went away from home to face a patched up side we were rather disappointed by the result, so it's best not to count any chickens. However, with Terry Matterson recently stating that Cas are aiming to not finish bottom this year, he's bringing in as many big guns as he can to try and get those two points. Still, the lads are going to have to pull their fingers out and get some wins under the belt if they want to catch that 11th place.... QUINS: Barker, Bryan, Grayshon, Haggerty, Heckenberg, Hill, Mbu, Janowski, Melling, O'Callaghan, Paul, Purdham, Randall, Rinaldi, Sharp, Skee, Temata, Tootill, Ward. TIGERS: Dorn, Donlan, Shenton, Dixon, Wainwright, Sherwin, Leafa, Henderson, Korkidas, Guttenbeil, Westerman, Higgins, Huby, Lupton, Boyle, Moore, Owen, McGoldrick, Catic. ]]> http://www.ayberspace.co.uk/ayberspace/php-files/news.php?readmore=302 The Tigers confirmed today that the on-off loan move of Anthony Thackeray is finally a done deal (see Link below): Thacks on the move Link]]> http://www.ayberspace.co.uk/ayberspace/php-files/news.php?readmore=301 No soosner had we (and a number of other news sources) announced that Anthony Thackray was on his way to Featherstone, the club have issued a statement to counter the story. It seems that Thacks is indeed in talks with the Cappers about a possible loan deal, but nothing has been finalised as of lunchtime today. So Thacks is still a Tiger, at least for the moment - although somebody really ought to tell whoever runs the Fev website! More when we get it.... ]]> http://www.ayberspace.co.uk/ayberspace/php-files/news.php?readmore=300 If proof were needed that Tigers news is like buses then today proves it. You wait for ages and then two come at once... First up is that out of favour (though God knows why!) half back Anthony Thackeray has signed for near neighbours Fev on a 'rest of season' loan deal. Struggling to get into the side with a fully fit Brent Sherwin back in the fold, Thacks has been snapped up by the Cappers until the end of the season. According to the Rovers, he'll make his debut in their crucial game against Salford at the weekend, but it's unclear at the moment whether or not he could be recalled to Cas in case of injury. Oh well, good luck up the road Thacks! Secondly, we've got wind of some potential movement on the status of the new ground as the Tigers' website is currently plugging their new 'Podcas' offering. It seems the latest in the club's series of online video diaries will bless us with images of Chief Exec Richard Wright, resplendent in hard hat, doing something meaningful up at the site of the new ground. We can only hope that the hype will be backed up with some substance.... possibly news of the 'mystery' backer? Thirdly (yes - three buses!) we're also hearing that Cas have signed, or will very soon, John Goddard from Halifax. We have no more than that at the moment, but are mentioning it now just in case.. so that we can say we were first! Obviously, we'll have more on anything of substance as soon as we hear of it, but for now it's all eyes on the official site at 10.00am Tuesday. (Click the Cas badge above for the link).]]>