Departing coach John Dixon believes Celtic Crusaders will eventually become a 'powerhouse' in Super League.
Australian refuses to comment on Noble speculation
John Dixon believes there are promising times ahead for the Celtic Crusaders after coaching the team for the last time on Sunday.
The Crusaders fought hard at The Jungle but Castleford claimed a 35-22 victory, completing an unhappy debut season in Super League for the visitors.
The Welsh team - who were already certain to finish with the wooden spoon - were ahead at the interval and Ryan O'Hara's try increased their lead just after the break.
However, tries from Richard Owen, Michael Shenton and Craig Huby helped the Tigers secure a win that sets up a play-off clash with Wigan next Sunday.
Era
Dixon, 57, has coached the club throughout their four-year history and his departure marks the end of an era for the Crusaders.
"There were two charters I had when I came to the Crusaders, number one was to try and put a team together that could get to the Super League and the second charter was to put a development structure in place that would help the club sustain itself in the long term," he said.
"At breakfast I looked across and sitting at the table was a group of boys who are really capable.
"To see them come out and compete with a side who are in the top eight of the competition was a tremendous reward."
Confident
Despite a difficult season, the Crusaders are hoping for a fresh start for 2010 with a new home and head coach and Dixon is confident that good times are just around the corner.
"Unlike many of our competitors we are the one team that have one nation behind us and in the long term there'll be some people will look back and say 'Why did we let that one in?' because I think we'll be a powerhouse in Super League," he added.
"There was a decision made in 2008 to give the Celtic Crusaders a Super League licence, it was the right decision then and it's the right decision now."
Noble link
It has been rumoured that former Great Britain boss Brian Noble will replace Dixon, though the outgoing coach refused to comment on his possible replacement.
"That's outside my remit and I can't give any leads because I don't know," he added.
"For instance if Brian Noble was to be the coach and he's a man of vast experience and has coached at an elite level, whoever the club appoints has my best wishes.
"It's a game that we want to promote in Wales so I hope he's the best vehicle for that."
