Castleford Tigers owner Martin Jepson believes that the club will register a Grade A score on the IMG grading system, thus securing their Super League status, whilst he’s also fielded questions on NRL signing Tyrell Sloan.
Jepson was speaking at a club fan forum held on Thursday night, a day ahead of the club’s centenary anniversary, and he explained why that centenary game on Friday night was so important.
Fielding questions on the club’s IMG score, Jepson admitted that the club needed an attendance of over 9,000 for Friday’s game against Catalans to ensure that they register the highest possible score in the attendance pillar.
Clubs must hit an average of 7,500 fans or more in attendance to hit the highest mark on that and with tonight being the Tigers’ last home game of the season, the benchmark of 9,000 has been set by the Castleford boss.
Per a brief summary of the fan forum, Jepson explained that the club were ‘confident of achieving’ that crowd and that given the fact they’re ‘potentially set for [their] biggest social media IMG score in the club’s history’, the Tigers should register an all-important Grade A status.
Grade A guarantees clubs a place in Super League regardless of how many clubs hit the mark, hence its importance.
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Castleford Tigers’ owner shares Tyrell Sloan latest
Jepson understandably was also asked about prospective NRL signing Tyrell Sloan given the comments that he has made in the media about wishing to remain in the NRL.
Speculation has swirled that St George Illawarra could try to make room on their cap for the in-form winger, whilst other NRL clubs are reportedly keen to be kept in the loop should the outside back become available again.
Jepson would confirm that he had spoke to Sloan along with the club’s director of rugby Chris Chester, admitting that much of the conversation revolved around ensuring Sloan can ‘bring his dogs over’, something Jepson surmised as showing willing and planning to come to England.
Though, Jepson also admitted that he is a ‘realist’, with the summarised notes laying out Jepson’s understandable concerns: “Tyrell Sloan is close to Ryan Carr, he mentored him in Australia so obviously there are going to be some strong feelings there with Ryan no longer being involved at the club.”
There was also confirmation issued that should Sloan try to sign a contract elsewhere, the player would have to speak to Castleford first as Jepson noted that he had seen ‘nothing to suggest that Sloan won’t come over this off season’.
