News

Posted: Monday 13th September 2021

Alex Foster to leave the Fords

Castleford Tigers can announce that Alex Foster will depart the club following the conclusion of the 2021 Betfred Super League season.

alex foster.jpg

The 27-year-old, who is proudly sponsored by Castle Cleaning Services, joined the Fords originally on trial back in 2017 after a move to Bradford fell through due to the club going into liquidation. In that season he earned a two-year contract extension before signing a further extension in 2018 keeping him with Cas until the end of 2021.

Alex is known as one of the most well-thought-of and most liked characters in the dressing room, who always has time for everyone in all areas of the club.

During his time with Castleford, Fozzy has shown his incredible fearlessness and adaptability which has played a big part in the club reaching both the Challenge Cup Final and Super League Grand Final, as well as lifting the League Leaders’ Shield in 2017.

Speaking about the news to castlefordtigers.com, Alex explained just how thankful he is to the Tigers.

“Playing for this club has meant everything. From the moment I came here to now, it has been incredible. I was welcomed with open arms and Stu Vause (Head Groundsman) was the first person I met, and he just put his arm around me and told me that I was going to enjoy myself here, and he wasn’t wrong.

“What I have accomplished in the time I have had here, I never thought I would. I thought I would never play Super League again after leaving Leeds in the early part of my career. The opportunity that this club has given me has been incredible.

“It has been one hell of a journey and I am so thankful to everyone involved, from the coaching staff to the fans, my teammates as well who have made my time here what it has been for me.”

A dynamic player with a never-say-die attitude, Foster has had to deal with a number of injuries as a Cas player, but not once has it ever curbed his enthusiasm and drive to get out and perform on the field.

It is those testing times that Alex looks back on with a lot of pride as he was able to battle through them and he thanks his teammates for all their support.

“One of the things that makes me most proud of what I have done here is that I have been able to come back from really bad injuries. They were injuries that some other players haven’t been able to come back from and have had to retire through. The help and support that I have had around me has been absolutely top class.

“I have never been around such an incredible group of human beings, they are all so supportive and are all fantastic in the different ways that make them themselves. It has been an absolute pleasure to be a part of this group. I’m going to miss them all.”

In closing, Foster paid tribute to the Fords faithful who has shown him a lot of love over the years, and he hopes that supporters remember how much pride he took in wearing the Cas shirt.

“The fans have been absolutely incredible. I really can’t believe the atmosphere that they come and create at The Jungle. It is the most hostile place in Super League, and it is the most daunting place to go. The fans have been superb from day one and have been really supportive. They understand that I have played a lot of different positions which isn’t easy to do. Every time I have walked onto the field, I have given it 100%.”

Castleford Tigers Head Coach Daryl Powell spoke about Alex Foster and praised him highly saying: “After coming in as a trialist Fozzy quickly embedded himself into the club. The way he is as a guy, he’s pretty softly spoken but you put him out on the field, and he is a warrior. It’s unfortunate he had injuries to deal with, but he is great.

“Fozzy’s adaptability and versatility are two of his biggest strengths, you put him in the middle and he is awesome, he can really bottle up a middle with his tough defensive work, but then you can put him in the centre or back-row – he will play pretty much anywhere, he is that kind of guy.

“We have built our club on good people, he absolutely 100% fits that, he’s been an absolute pleasure to coach.”