Castleford star Stuart Jones has announced he is to retire from full-time rugby at the end of the season.
Tigers forward to pursue career outside rugby
Castleford star Stuart Jones has announced he is to retire from full-time rugby at the end of the season.
Jones joined the Tigers from Huddersfield Giants in 2009, establishing himself as a firm favourite at the PROBIZ Coliseum.
His initial one-year-contract was upgraded to a further three-year deal but the 30-year-old second row has now decided to call time on his full-time professional career.
The former Wigan and St Helens player, who is set to take up a role outside of the game, said that the time had come to look to the future.
"I've enjoyed my time here," he told the
Pontefract and Castleford Express. "There have been some ups and downs along the way but I will be able to look back and say that I've had four good years at Cas.
"I've had a good job opportunity come up and it is time I started looking towards my future career and this means stepping down from full-time rugby league.
Pride
"It has been a good experience at Cas. There's been a great bunch of lads over the years and the fans are second to none."
Reflecting on a career that began with his home town Wigan a decade ago, Jones said had been lucky during his 10 years in the sport.
"I've been lucky to not have had many bad injuries," he said. "I'm proud to have played over 250 games, with over 100 for Huddersfield.
"Fingers crossed, next week's game against London will be my 100th for Cas. That would give me great pride."
Jones also took the opportunity to urge fans not to worry too much about the Tigers' future as the club continues to negotiate a period of change.
"The club is in a bit of a transition," he added. "The stadium saga has maybe held the club back. Hopefully that will get sorted soon and the club will be providing results that the fans deserve."
"There's going to be a big change in personnel. Basil (Tigers coach Ian Millward) will want to build his own team and I completely understand that.
"When I came in there were 10 changes and all club's experience changed. It's very much cyclical - especially when a club is doing it tough as we are at the moment."
