Off-contract Danny Richardson still unsure whether future lies at Castleford but would like to stay
Out of contract come the end of this season, Castleford’s Danny Richardson says he’s still unsure where his future lies, though he would like to stay.
The versatile back, 25, suffered a severe neck injury in round one of this year’s Super League season. While he is now back in action, doctors have told him it won’t ever fully recover.
After a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Richardson kicked the winning drop goal at home to Catalans last week. The Fords man remains a free agent for 2023 as things stand however, with no deal in place beyond the end of the current campaign.
“I’ve no idea yet [about next season]. I think if Radders [Lee Radford, Cas head coach] wants me to stay, obviously I’ve only played three games under him now, but we’ll have to sort that out if Cas want me to stay,” Richardson said.
“I’m literally just playing rugby at the minute and hopefully the rest will look after itself. I’d be happy [to stay], I really like the club here. I feel like I haven’t really got going in the three years that I’ve been here so far.
“I’ve picked up a couple of injuries around the whole COVID thing, but around all that I do really love it here. The fans come in the ground and it’s definitely a club that I like. I’d be happy to stay here if the opportunity came about.”
Time is the Best Teller
Richardson joined Cas in 2020. He has so far made 37 appearances for the Fords, scoring three tries. The former Leigh man has also kicked 114 goals to date in the Black & Amber. And in addition, Richardson has played at international level for England at youth grade, representing the Knights against Jamaica in 2019.
Current boss Radford however only took over ahead of the 2022 campaign. Subsequently, his time watching Richardson on the field has been incredibly limited.
When asked whether he could shed any light on Richardson’s contract conundrum, he added, “Probably not at the moment. I think it’s still up in the air. I last spoke to Danny [about it] about a month ago.”
“Obviously when May 1 comes, you have to notify players whether they’re still in contention or whether you won’t be offering them a deal. At that moment in time, I’d not seen Danny play this year.
“I think I saw him 40 minutes or just over in the first game of the season and that wasn’t a strong performance from the team that day. There was no credits in the bank back then but these last couple of games, he’s showed a few bits.
“He’s been really good around the place even when injured. His communication is high, I really like him, and he’s been great around the place. Danny can continue to perform like he has done in the last couple of weeks, then that tends to make a decision for you. It’s likewise if it goes the other way too.t
“For me, having not worked with him, I’ve only coached him for around two and a half games now. Although it’s late in the season, it’s still very early in how its unfolding, I suppose.”
Richardson’s next chance to impress Radford comes tomorrow evening. The Tigers take on Huddersfield at the Jungle live on Sky Sports.
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