We’ve got to make top six, says new Castleford boss Lee Radford

Castleford must make the top six play-offs in 2022, according to new coach Lee Radford.

The 42-year-old was appointed Tigers head coach in April, but will only officially take charge from pre-season onwards. He succeeds Daryl Powell, who has subsequently joined Warrington.

Radford has put his own stamp on the Castleford squad. He has made eight new signings in the shape of Mahe Fonua, Bureta Faraimo, Jake Mamo, Kenny Edwards, Alex Sutcliffe, Callum McLelland, George Lawler and Joe Westerman.

The former Hull boss wants to bring silverware to the Tigers but the main goal to start with is simple: make the play-offs.

He said: “I want to put my own stamp on the club. I think it’s been probably one of the best of the rest, if that makes sense.

“I love coaching and having a relationship with the players but I love winning just as much if not more. I know a lot of coaches talk about process but for me the game is about results.

“For 2022 we’ve got to make the top six. We haven’t done it for the last two years so without doubt that’s our number one aspiration.

“What happens beyond that is situational, how fit and healthy the group is going into the play-offs and how much they’ve got left in the tank to kick on in the six.”

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Lee Radford wants to bring success to Castleford

Radford spent eight years as a player at Hull before joining their backroom staff in 2011. However, he always thought he would face his hometown club one day.

He added: “I gave 20 years of my life to that club and I like to think I gave it everything that I had.

“But now I’m at the Castleford Tigers and I intend to give everything I’ve got for this club and hopefully bring success along the way.”

READ MORE: How Castleford could line-up in 2022