CASTLEFORD Tigers have suffered a major blow ahead of the new season after thieves stole 700m of cabling worth £5,000 from the club’s ground.
Raiders struck at the Wish Communications Stadium on Wheldon Road over the festive break.
Tiger’s chief executive Steve Ferres, said: “The cabling provided electricity across the stadium including our hospitality boxes, scoreboard, turnstiles and one of our floodlights.
“The police have been informed and we will be evaluating the full extent of what needs to be replaced over the next few days.
“Without doubt, it will be a big job and at the worst possible time with the new season fast approaching and our friendly against Featherstone at home only a couple of weeks away.
“We have been very open and honest about the issues currently facing the club. We already had a long list of essential repairs that need to be made to the stadium in the coming weeks and this is certainly not going to help our progress.
“Despite our challenges, the club has worked incredibly hard in the close season to deliver a new membership scheme that our fans would buy in to.
“Whilst momentum has slowed, we have made great strides and already generated more revenue from season ticket sales compared to last year.
“To have this setback after a really promising build up is a real kick in the teeth for us but I am determined not to let it detract from the great work we have already done, as well as the hard work that still needs to be done before the season starts.”
A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “The theft took place between 3pm on the 23 December and 8:30am this morning. The thieves had cut the cabling from junction boxes outside of the ground.
“Due to the large volume of material that was stolen, the theives will have had to leave the scene in a van or similar vehicle. In all, around £5,000 of cable was stolen during the theft.
“Enquiries into the theft are ongoing and any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact Wakefield CID via 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.” Click here to register and have your say on the Castleford Tigers stories and issues that matter to you
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