A great signing for us and I'll echo what's been said, he maybe has come to a point where a change is just what he needs, many players are like that like it or not.
I think the deal will benefit all parties and for what it's worth, I hope you go out and get a crackin' replacement, I want my 'second' club to do well!

Oh well, another bit of the stadium paid for.
Couldn't we have got Willie Manu back as part of the deal or something? I just hope his replacement can tackle.

Hope its as good a move for us as it is for you, hopefully in Cas' case it was done with the new stadium in mind and funding for the future. £150k is not to be sniffed at in the current climate and what fees are paid in the game nowadays. We may have paid a little over the odds but Hull's board have been sat on money for years so its about time they got their hand in their pockets.

Already looking forward to visiting the new ground.

Perhaps this image should be changed?

Not especially happy but reading the statements from Hull, Cas and Westerman, it's obvious the right decision has been made. Cas were obviously stung by the Shenton saga and lost out on a transfer fee when they could have cashed in and at least learned from that. Now the cash can be put to good use.

My main worry now is who's picture the kids are going to have on their bedroom wall! They've just taken down their Shenton poster and replaced it with a Westerman poster! Who next? Their obviously jinxing the players! Shall I get them to put up a McGoldrick poster?

I'm actually lost for words, numb, gutted.

Glad I haven't yet bought a season ticket and definitely won't be bothering now.

Best of luck to Joe though - it makes me wonder whether our club has any ambition left.

The good thing about Joe going is that this should mean Widders and Ferres are now going to be used in their natural positions and not as half backs or centres. The thing that worries me is what the future holds when 2 of our young stars want away, this does not bode well for the ambitions of the club on player levels or the coaching staff.

"we discussed the possibility of an extension to Joe's contract with his agent but it was clear he wanted to move on and was no longer 100% committed to Castleford Tigers."

Sorry, but reading the above, the managment have done the best thing for the club.

Having read the story again, you are correct - my initial reaction to it wasn't good and suffice to say I'm still totally gutted he's gone. If the money is going to be used for the stadium then it's fair enough - I've often said that takes priority - but the club really need to press on and get the planning application in as there's no apparent reason for any delay.

I'm concerned that if our youth policy is "the envy of many in Super League," why so many of our talented players ultimately end up elsewhere - this is the source of my concerns regarding the club's ambition. There must be something cultural that drives them away.

Oh bugger !

Oh yes, the Paul Cooke school of RL professionalism is still going strong in Hull isn't it?

Gutted but it sounds like it may be for the best really...we need the cash and it seems that this is the best time for both him and the club to go. I do worry about the lack of ambition that Cas seem to have on the field with losing home grown players, it some ways it looks like we've decided we're not going to get a franchise so have decided to pull back for the next 3/4 years in order to get the stadium sorted and then start rebuilding. Just hope our crowds can be as patient.

Got to agree with you there Bonzo.