Tigers release quartet

Matterson: Building for the future at the Jungle

We have thought long and hard when assessing the squad at the end of the season and, for differing reasons, some very tough decisions have had to be made

Castleford coach Terry Matterson
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Castleford have continued to revamp their squad ahead of next season by confirming four players are leaving the club.

Peter Lupton, Mark Leafa, Ned Catic and Adam Fletcher will all be leaving the Jungle after not having their contracts renewed.

The quartet have been deemed surplus to requirements after the Tigers moved to bring in seven new signings for 2009.

Coach Terry Matterson thanked the four departing players for their efforts after having to make some "tough decisions" over his squad.

"I would though like to thank all of those players who are leaving us for their contributions whilst with the Tigers, good luck to all of the guys," he said.

Assessing squad

"We have thought long and hard when assessing the squad at the end of the season and, for differing reasons, some very tough decisions have had to be made. As is often the case, this means that some players who have served the club well have to be released.

"However with the new players already signed up, and more to come, we are confident that the make up of the squad will give us every chance of climbing the table in 2009."

Lupton joined from Hull FC in 2006 and, along with forward Leafa, helped the club regain their Super League status after relegation.

Winger Adam Fletcher has enjoyed two spells as a Tiger while former Wakefield Wildcat Catis joined midway through this year to bolster the pack.

Anthony Thackeray, Brendan Hlad, Luke Dorn and Stuart Donlan had already left Castleford while Scott Moore has finished his loan deal from St Helens and Awen Guttenbeil has retired.