Friday 30th July 10

A legend as a player and the last captain to lift a major trophy for Castleford, Lee Crooks will be returning to the Jungle next month as he takes on the role of coach of the Tigers Under-15’s Academy side.

Lee joined the Tigers from Leeds in 1990 after first making his name with his hometown club, Hull FC. and went on to make 222 Castleford appearances before retiring as a player at the end of the 1997 season, by which time he had amassed 1265 points and led his side to victory over Wigan in the 1994 Regal Trophy final.

The Tigers Head of Youth Development Steve Gill said: “It’s good to see Lee back at the club. He has a wealth of playing experience at the very top level and if he can pass some of that on to the talented youngsters coming through our Scholarship programme then it can only benefit their development.” 

Lee said: “It’s good to be back involved in the game at club level and although everyone knows that I’m a Hull lad, I have actually lived in Castleford longer than I did in Hull and I have always thought that at some point there might be an opportunity to come back to the Tigers.

“I was at one of the lowest points in my career when Cas signed me as a player but they gave me the opportunity to resurrect my career and I have always wanted to give something back. This role with the Under 15’s gives me that opportunity.

“The club have shown that they are putting a lot of emphasis on bringing through local talent, and there is plenty of that, so for me it will be great to be able to help in their development and it’s something that I am looking forward to.”