At the start of the 1997

At the start of the 1997 season Castleford were seen as a team making up the numbers and few held hopes for them avoiding relegation. Sony VAIO PCG-41112M Battery

John Joyner resigned in April 1997 to be replaced by Stuart Raper. The club were in crisis with relegation on the cards, Raper turned the season around, the Tigers even won at champions Bradford. They just managed to avoid being relegated, eventually finishing tenth.

With a new season in 1998 many pundits predicted the Tigers would be relegated to National League One. Sony VAIO PCG-7153M Battery

Castleford, in fact stayed near the top of the table for the majority of the season and eventually finished sixth. Cas' Challenge Cup run started with a last-minute try victory over Leeds at Headingley on Valentine’s Day, before beating Bradford Northern in the fifth round. The Cup run was ended by eventual-winners Sheffield in the quarter-finals. Sony VAIO PCG-71312M Battery

In the 1999 season the Tigers had bettered their previous season and found themselves in third on a couple of occasions, sometimes fourth before finishing in fifth, the last of the play-off places. Wigan were beaten 14-10 on their own turf as Cas set up a date at Leeds. Leeds were beaten 23-16 and Cas met St Helens in the semi-final but lost 36-6. Sony VAIO PCG-7144M Battery

Cas had another good Challenge Cup run 1999 campaign knocking out Hull, York and Salford before finally being beaten by London Broncos in the semi-final with a last minute try.

2000 was Raper's last season with the Tigers and their performance somewhat mirrored their previous season as they finished fifth and into the play-offs for a consecutive season. Sony VAIO PCG-7191L Battery

They made the semi final of the Challenge Cup once again in 2002.

They were relegated from Super League at the end of the 2004 season, but were promoted back the following season, after winning the National League One Grand Final against Whitehaven.

Castleford currently play their traditional black and amber, however their previous colours were orange and black. Sony VAIO PCG-3C1M Battery

A limited edition shirt in these traditional colours was released to commemorate participation in the 2005 final of the Northern Rail Cup, which Castleford lost 16-18 to Hull Kingston Rovers, in front of 9,400 people (a record attendance for the cup). The club experienced record sales of the new home shirt for 2007. Sony VAIO PCG-3F1M Battery

Even after a solid return season under the coaching of Terry Matterson, they were once again relegated from the Super League on Saturday 16 September 2006 after losing 29-17 to rivals Wakefield Trinity Wildcats at Belle Vue, Wakefield. The match dubbed "The Battle of Belle Vue" was the last game of the season with the winning side retaining their Superleague status. Sony VAIO PCG-3H1M Battery

This caused uproar in the rugby league community. Castleford were relegated with the highest points total for a relegated side in Super League history with 19. Not only that, they did not finish bottom of the league. The bottom placed side were the newly created Catalan Dragons who were given immunity from relegation leaving Castleford to suffer relegation for the second time in their history. Sony VAIO PCG-3J1M Battery

In 2007, Castleford Tigers participated in National League One, the second tier of British rugby league. They were rewarded for a safe passage through to the Carnegie Challenge Cup 4th Round with an away tie at local rivals and 4 times Super League Champions Bradford Bulls, however the Tigers lost the tie narrowly going down 24-16. Sony VAIO PCG-8141M Battery

Castleford were promoted at the first time of asking when they overcame rivals Widnes Vikings 42-10 on 7 October 2007 in the National League Grand Final. This meant that they participated in Super League XIII in 2008.

On 22 July 2008 the club learned that their Super League licence application for the 2009-11 period had been successful. Sony VAIO PCG-8161M Battery

In a disappointing season the Castleford Tigers finished bottom of the Super League; however with no relegation for the first time in Super League history, the club was not overly concerned about that result. Their main concern in 2008 was fighting for a licence to play in the 2009 season. Sony VAIO PCG-3C2M Battery

The 14 clubs who received a licence would, barring catastrophic financial reverses, stay in the Super League for at least 3 years with no risk of relegation. Ultimately, all of the teams from Super League XIII (2008), plus Crusaders and Salford, were accepted.

The Tigers got much publicity in 2008 by giving a trial to the shamed 100 m sprinter Dwain Chambers for a month, Sony VAIO PCG-5N2M Battery

but he did not seem worthy of receiving a contractand was therefore released instead. He did help out with the local schools as well as play against York City Knights in a friendly game.

Castleford also added to their team throughout 2008 season with Matt Cook coming on loan until the end of the season from Bradford Bulls; Sony VAIO PCG-5P1M Battery

however after a month he was called back into the Bradford team. They also got Brendan Hlad on loan from the Penrith Panthers until the end of the season, however he has not featured in coach Terry Matterson's plans much since his arrival, playing three games all from off the bench, and scoring no points. Sony VAIO PCG-5S1M Battery

At the same time Castleford added another body to the squad by signing former Wakefield Trinity Wildcats player Ned Catic from the French side Lyon XIII but he hasn't been offered another contract and Joined Barrow Raiders in the Championship. In June they signed Mitchell Sargent from NRL side Newcastle Knights on a 2 and half year deal. Sony VAIO PCG-9Z1M Battery

Unfortunately, Sargent's move had been held up by red tape due to delays in issuing work visas to players. The Tigers were hopeful he would join the club soon, and indeed he did after enlisting the help of local MP to the Pontefract and Castleford constituency, Yvette Cooper. He was a hit with the fans straight away and will be playing with Castleford for to 2009 season also. Sony VAIO PCG-7171M Battery

In June they released Tom Haberecht from his 1 year deal, due to quota restrictions. This was to enable Sargent to join the club. Haberecht is currently on trial at local rivals Featherstone Rovers. In the same month the Tigers also loaned out young forward prospect Nathan Massey to Rovers and Jack Lee. Sony VAIO PCG-7186M Battery

This season, with franchises on the horizon, has seen the Tigers retain four of their major squad players from the local area. Franchise licences are issued this season, with one of the criteria being home-grown players, an area the Tigers are making significant strides in. The first player to sign up to a new four-year deal was Joe Westerman, Sony VAIO PCG-81112M Battery

who was touted with a move to Leeds Rhinos, which turned out to be nothing more than mere speculation. Joe has been named in the current England squad for the World Cup. Following Joe into a new 4 year deal as well is Australian Ryan McGoldrick, who has been a figurehead and major PR puller for the club over the last couple of seasons. Sony VAIO PCG-31311M Battery

The Tigers also retained their longest serving player in the face of Craig Huby, who pen to paper on a 3 year deal. After several weeks of negotiations, and intense speculation that he was about to move to Bradford Bulls, Michael Shenton finally but pen to paper on a new 2 year deal, who, like Westerman has also been called up to the England squad for the World Cup. Sony VAIO PCG-8152M Battery

Following Shenton was Liam Higgins who put pen to paper on a 1 Year Deal with the club. Also Matterson has signed some top name players from the NRL in Rangi Chase, Dean Widders and Sione Faumuina. And when the Super League Transfer window opened cas signed England International player Stuart Jones from Huddersfield Giants on a 1 Year Deal. Sony VAIO PCG-31111M Battery

Also the Tigers have signed ex-captain Ryan Hudson on a 4 Year Deal from the Huddersfield Giants. Continuing recruitment for the 2009 season Castleford Tigers have also signed Chris Featherand James Evans - both on one year deals and both from Bradford Bulls. Youngster Joe Arundel got promoted from the academy and is now joining the senior squad on a two-year deal at only 17 years old. Sony VAIO PCG-61111M Battery

James Ford is a winger who has signed a one year deal at Castleford from Sheffield Eagles in the National League One.

Leaving Castleford Tigers will be Peter Lupton, who is now going to be joining Crusaders, Andrew Henderson; Sony VAIO PCG-51112M Battery

Castlefords captain both times they were relegated into the National League set up has been let go and his joining Gateshead Thunder to add to the already big number of ex-Castleford players. Adam Fletcher has been let go as has Ned Catic was released by The tigers and as joined Barrow Raiders, however. Mark Leafa will also be leaving and is now a free agent. Sony VAIO PCG-51211M Battery

Luke Dorn has left to join Harlequins RLFC - the team he scored a hat-trick against earlier in the season of 2008. Stuart Donlan has left to go back to hometown clubLeigh Centurions. Scott Moore has finished his loan move and now will join Huddersfield Giants on a season loan from St. Helens. Sony VAIO PCG-51212M Battery

Awen Guttenbiel has retired and now will go back to Australia to hopefully continue on his coaching ambitions.

After finishing seventh in 2009, Castleford need to prove their place in Superleague is well deserved. Delays with the new stadium and low attendances are dogging their efforts^[4] Sony VAIO PCG-41111M Battery

On 18 April 2010 in the Carnegie Challenge Cup Fourth Round the Tigers were beaten at home by Barrow 28-34.^[5] This was a serious blow to Castleford's reputation as Barrow were a Co-operative Championship team. Sony VAIO PCG-41111V Battery

After reaching the semi finals of the Challenge Cup in 2011, they again were knocked out by a Championship side in the 2012 Challenge Cup, losing to local rivals Featherstone Rovers 23-16.

David "Dave" Whelan (born 24 November 1936) is a former professional football player with Blackburn Rovers and Crewe Alexandra who now owns Wigan Athletic. Sony VAIO PCG-61412V Battery

He is the former owner of JJB Sports and the DW Stadium where Wigan Athletic andWigan Warriors RLFC play. He is a prominent supporter of the Conservative Party and in 2008 donated £250,000 to the Party.

Whelan was a member of Blackburn Rovers' 1960 FA Cup Final team, which lost 3-0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Sony VAIO PCG-71112M Battery

Whelan himself did not complete the game, breaking a leg during the first half. Whelan's injury is one of many serious injuries suffered by players in the 1950-60 era and was known as the Wembley hoodoo.^[3] Following his leg break, Whelan was sold to Crewe Alexandra F.C. where he played for several years before retiring to concentrate fully on his chain of supermarkets, Sony VAIO PCG-81111V Battery

Whelan's Discount Stores, which were sold to Ken Morrison for over a million pounds.

Whelan acquired Wigan fishing and sports store JJ Bradburns (even though JJB are the initials of previous owner John Jarvis Broughton) in 1977. He renamed the company JJB Sports and soon focused purely on sports goods. Sony VAIO PCG-81111V Battery

By 1980, JJB had become a chain of 7 stores, and went on to expand throughout the 1980s and 1990s. It went on to be the UK's second biggest sports retailer.

In 2005 JJB Sports were fined £5.5 million by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) for fixing the price of the English National Team and Manchester United shirts in 2000 and 2001.^[4] Sony VAIO PCG-81212M Battery

Which Consumer magazine issued proceedings against JJB Sports to sue the high street retailer for damages on behalf of consumers who were affected by the price fixing.^[5]

Whelan gradually scaled down his interests in the company and in 2005 he stepped down as chairman.^[6] Sony VAIO PCG-81212V Battery

However, in October 2006 he personally intervened to overturn the settlement of a pay dispute at JJB's Wigan warehouse negotiated by new chairman Tom Knight, branding it "the equivalent of Communism", prompting a two-day strike.^[7]

In January 2007 he sold £50m of shares in JJB,^[8] before selling his remaining 29% stake in June 2007. Sony VAIO PCG-51111M Battery

This action was in contradiction of a statement that Whelan made to the stock exchange on 26 January 2007 whereby he undertook to make no further disposals for the following 12 months.^[9] This action may now lead to an investigation by the Financial Services Authority.

In March 2009, Whelan confirmed his acquisition of JJB Fitness clubs and the stores attached to them.
Sony VAIO VGN-AW110J/H Battery

Instead of Wigan Athletics JJB sponsorship "the club's new stadium sponsor will be DW Sports-Fitness.Com, the 75-year-old's latest sports retail venture, and the JJB Stadium has now become the DW Stadium, taking the name of its owner and his new company."

Whelan bought Wigan Athletic in February 1995, when they were a Division Three team.^[11] Sony VAIO VGN-AW11M/H Battery

When Dave Whelan took over the reins he announced that he would get Wigan Athletic into the Premier League, a promise he fulfilled in 2005. This began with the Division Three title in 1997-98, the Division Two title in 2002-03 and promotion to the Premiership as Championship runners-up in 2004-05. Sony VAIO VGN-AW11S/B Battery

He funded the £30million construction of the club's new JJB Stadium which opened in 1999 and on its completion was one of the largest football stadiums outside the Premier League.^[12]

Thanks to Whelan's resources, Wigan, who were tipped to be relegated from the Premier League in their first season, not only managed to stay up (and have stayed in the top flight ever since), Sony VAIO VGN-AW11XU/Q Battery

but claimed a 10th place league position^[13] and also reached the final of the Football League Cup.^[14]

In 2005, Whelan threatened to quit the club unless the price of policing games was reduced.^[15] In 2007, he called for the relegation of West Ham United as punishment for their incorrect registration of Carlos Tévez and Javier Mascherano.^[16] Sony VAIO VGN-AW11Z/B Battery

He subsequently called for Premier League Chairman Dave Richards and chief executive Richard Scudamore to resign.^[17] An arbitration committee met to consider the affair. It ruled in favour of the Premier League. Wigan managed an end-of-season victory at Sheffield United, a 2 - 1 win with the goals being scored by Paul Scharner in the 14th minute and Sony VAIO VGN-AW120J/H Battery

a penalty from David Unsworth in injury time of the first half, after Jon Stead had equalised for Sheffield United in the 38th minute. It was a dramatic final-day Premiership survival story, with the result saving Wigan and condemning Sheffield United to the Championship.

Whelan's ownership has had some major downs as emotive as the highs. Sony VAIO VGN-AW150Y/H Battery

A comprehensive drubbing at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur in November 2009 saw Wigan ship 9 goals (8 in the second half) and suffer their biggest defeat in their history.

After the announcement of Maurice Lindsay's intention to retire immediately from the club after the Warriors' loss at the hands of Catalans Dragons on 29 July 2007, Sony VAIO VGN-AW160J/Q Battery

Whelan managed to persuade him to stay on until the end of the season. After the announcement of Linday's retirement however, Whelan said he would be willing to sell the club after a proposed takeover from a "genuine Wigan fan" earlier in the year.^[18]

On 24 October 2007, it was announced that Ian Lenagan, former owner of Harlequins RL, Sony VAIO VGN-AW170Y/Q Battery

had completed his takeover of Wigan Warriors, buying out Whelan's 89% stake in the club with the deal taking effect from 1 December 2007. Sony VAIO VGN-AW180Y/Q Battery,Sony VAIO VGN-AW190JAH Battery,Sony VAIO VGN-AW190NAB Battery