Castleford Tigers supporters are in heated debate after Director of Football Chris Chester boldly described new signing Liam Hood as the “face and controller” of the club ahead of the 2026 season.
The experienced 33-year-old hooker, who joins from Wakefield Trinity, has penned a one-year deal with an option for another, becoming the Tigers’ second arrival from their local rivals. Chester, who previously worked with Hood at Wakefield, has expressed complete faith in the Scottish international’s leadership and composure, claiming he can bring stability to Castleford’s play after a turbulent year.
“I know Liam really well, having signed him at Wakefield,” Chester said. “He’s an experienced, calm head who knows how to control a game through the middle. He brings a winning mentality and experience at the top level. Liam is very excited about the changes happening at the club and wants to make a big impact both on and off the field.”
However, Chester’s declaration has sparked mixed reactions among the Castleford faithful. While some fans welcome Hood’s arrival as a sign of leadership and direction, others believe calling him the “face” of the club places unnecessary pressure on a player new to the Tigers setup.
Hood himself is embracing the challenge with enthusiasm. “When my agent told me Chris had been in touch, I was immediately interested,” he said. “After hearing about the positive plans for the club, I knew it was the right move. The fans are passionate and deserve better after a tough season. I’ll be giving everything to help turn things around.”
Having made 97 appearances and scored 25 tries for Wakefield between 2022 and 2025, Hood brings valuable experience to the Tigers’ rebuild in what will be their centenary year.
The hooker joins a growing list of fresh faces, including Renouf Atoni, Jack Ashworth, Jordan Lane, Brock Greacen, Semi Valemei, Blake Taafe, and Mikaele Ravalawa. The rebuild signals a new era for Castleford — but Chester’s bold statement has ensured that all eyes will be on Liam Hood when the 2026 season kicks off.
Leave a Reply