'Castleford Tigers and other struggling rugby league clubs need support' MP Yvette Cooper has said

The club, like sports clubs across the countryside, is in financial turmoil as a result of the pandemic.

Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford MP Ms Cooper said: “Cas Tigers is at the heart of our town, and supports the whole community - that’s rugby league values.

“We’re calling on the Government to come up with a plan to support rugby league clubs through the winter now that supporters can’t go back because of Covid restrictions yet the bills all still need to be paid. All our rugby league clubs face similar pressures.

“I’m going to be presenting the petition to Parliament and to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Rugby league is too important to our towns.

“Anyone who wants to back our campaign to get the Government to support rugby league can sign my petition.”

Though rugby league has been allowed to resume, clubs are facing a black hole in their finances through lost matchday revenue.

Speaking in parliament last week Ms Cooper said: “Ministers are talking about £20m support for football’s National League, but they also need to understand the importance of rugby league to our towns.

“Today in Parliament I called on the Government to guarantee it won’t let any of our important rugby league clubs go under because of Covid-19.

“The minister agreed to talk with me further about what Cas Tigers and other rugby league clubs need next.”

The Government was intending to trial smaller crowds at some sporting events this autumn.

But the plans were put on hold as virus cases went up and new restrictions were introduced.