News

Posted: Wednesday 5th August 2020

Cook set to leave Tigers

Castleford Tigers can confirm that Matt Cook will leave the club at the end of the 2020 season to join Widnes Vikings.

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The 33-year-old joins the Betfred Championship side after six seasons with the Tigers. Cook joined briefly on loan in 2008 from Bradford Bulls and his second spell with Castleford began back in 2015 after signing from London Broncos where he was the captain at that time. In total he has appeared in the Black and Amber 112 times to date, scoring 13 tries.

Matt has been a big part of the Castleford squad that has finished in the top five of the Super League table in four of the last five seasons, the highlight coming in 2017 when Cook played in 24 of the Tigers matches that led them to lift the League Leader’s Shield.

Speaking about the news, Cook said: “It was a big decision to join Widnes for next year and I’ll be sad to leave after six years with Castleford.

 “Until my contract finishes at Cas, I am 100% a Castleford player until the end of the season and I will be doing everything I possibly can to contribute and have a massive impact for the team and ideally leave Super League with a Grand Final winner’s medal.

 “It’s a great club that I love, and I’ll always have fond memories.”

Head Coach Daryl Powell was full of praise for Cook, stating: “Matt Cook has been a great servant to our great club, his sense of humour and constant enthusiasm has been a pleasure to see during his time at Cas.

 “I think we have seen the best of him as a player and want to wish Cooky all the best next season, but before that we want him to get back on to the field and show us all what a quality player he is.”

Director of Rugby at Castleford Tigers Jon Wells hopes Cook can sign off his time with the club with trophy success: “Matt will end a six-year period at the Tigers at the culmination of the 2020 season; six seasons that have seen him make a huge contribution to our on-field progress.

“Matt is a genuine professional, a great character and most importantly a good bloke. He has been a huge asset for us since he joined in 2015 and we wish him all the very best in the next stage of his career, but not before he makes a final and typically honest and high-quality contribution in our push for silverware this year.”

Cook wanted to send a message to Castleford supporters and thank them for all their support over the years: “Every person associated with the club and the fans especially have always been very kind to me and welcomed me with open arms.

 “I still love the rude song that they have for me, so if they want to sing it a few more times before the season’s out by all means do it, it brings a smile and a chuckle to me.

 “I really appreciate all the support and it’ll be a sad end when I leave but I hope they stick with the club and keeping supporting through thick and thin as they always have. If I happen to play against Cas at any point in the future, please don’t give me too much stick!”