Castleford have appointed Steve Ferres as their new chief executive following yesterday’s announcement that Richard Wright had stepped down with immediate effect.

Ferres, a boyhood Tigers fan, has had more than 41 years in the professional game as a player, coach and administrator, and previously held the role of chief executive at York City Knights and Wakefield Wildcats.

Club chairman Jack Fulton said: "I am delighted to appoint Steve as our new chief executive. He is extremely passionate about the club and that is a definite positive, however, his contacts and vast experience in the game enable me with confidence to say that he is the right man to lead us forward."

Ferres said: "I am delighted to take on this role and thank Jack and the rest of the board of directors for the opportunity.

"I have had a number of different roles within the game over many years, though my affinity and passion for Cas has never waned.

"It has always been a dream of mine to play for Castleford, and that opportunity having passed me by, my professional aspiration has been to lead the club and to drive it forward and I will do my utmost to deliver good times at this club."

Wright, who had been in the post for 15 years, will remain a director of the club. He insisted yesterday his resignation would have no impact on the new stadium project in which he has played a major role.

Fulton added: "As a club, we are currently experiencing an extremely tough time on the pitch and I can assure everyone that the entire club are doing everything we can to address this."