Roberts heard nothing but good about Castleford

Ben Roberts has revealed that Castleford’s fine reputation as a club was the big draw in him signing for them from next season.

Roberts, a 28-year-old utility playmaker, has played 130 games in the NRL with Canterbury Bulldogs, Parramatta Eels and Melbourne Storm.

The New Zealander has also represented his country of birth, as well as playing for Samoa in last year’s World Cup.

He has inked a two-year deal, beginning in 2015, with an option to extend by a third year.

“I only signed at the Storm for one year, and we were not quite sure what I was going to do after this year, in terms of hanging around or possibly going overseas,” said Roberts.

“I suggested to my manager that we should have a fish out and about, just to see what was out there.

“It just so happened that Castleford came in the picture, so I was trying to find out a bit of information about the club. I heard nothing but good things about the club, and they came from people who had played there in the past.”

Roberts also revealed that the Castleford fans had played a big part in his deciding to join the Yorkshire outfit.

“My good friend Brent Sherwin played there a couple of years ago and I spoke with him in regards to what his thoughts were and what his experience was like at the club and to be honest he had nothing but good things to say,” Roberts added, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.

“That was very similar to what other people said, specifically about the club having a great culture and having good people working behind the scenes to get things going.

“Another big thing is the team itself. The players they have at the club have a very close bond and one thing I noticed from the outside is the way they play.

“They look like they play for each other. That is always a good thing for a player. For me, that was one of the main things. Also, the fans were a factor as well.

“Castleford have great fans and they are probably the best fans in the whole competition when you look at how well they travel.

“They are real passionate, so I am looking forward to the atmosphere and hearing those people cheer for me and the team.”