Rugby League: Council approves `super' ground

CASTLEFORD HAVE been given the go-ahead from their local council for the new ground which they hope will secure their Super League future into the new century.

Wakefield Metropolitan Borough Council has given its approval in principle to a new multi-sports complex near the M62 at Whitwood.

Castleford have been at their ground at Wheldon Road in the town centre since 1927, but the club's chief executive, Richard Wright, said: "We have been the sporting centre for the community at Wheldon Road for more than 70 years. These plans would provide our home for the next 70 years."

The initial plans are for two grandstands and two terraced ends, but eventually for an all-seater, 15,000 capacity stadium, which Castleford believe would be suitable for semi-finals and representative matches.

News of Castleford's progress comes as their two neighbouring clubs, Wakefield and Featherstone, contemplate a future in Super League. The winners of tommorow's First Division Grand Final will apply for a place in the competition. Featherstone's committee has rejected suggestions that the two clubs should join forces.

That Grand Final and all Super League matches this weekend will begin with a minute's silence in memory of Alan Prescott, the captain of the victorious Great Britain side in The Battle of Brisbane in 1958, who died last week. The finalists will wear black armbands.

Lancashire Lynx, the winners of the Second Division, have sacked their team manager, Kevin Tamati, after he asked for a pay rise. The departure leaves the club's coach, Steve Hampson, in sole charge for the Treize Tournoi, in which English and French clubs will compete next month.