Castleford Tigers CEO Steve Gill fears the new marquee player rule will only benefit the top five clubs and leaving clubs like the Tigers simply making up the numbers.
Super League clubs voted to introduce the marquee player rule being approved, which will provide a dispensation under the salary cap rules for each club to sign a marquee player from the 2016 season onwards.
Under the terms of the salary cap rule amendment, clubs will be entitled to sign one marquee player who will have a notional value on their salary cap register of either £100,000 if club trained or £175,000 if non-club trained.
Gill however, feels that this is a step in the wrong direction for Super League.
“My view and the clubs view, was not to support the marquee signing proposal, we felt the extra income we had received through the sky monies, had given us a sustainable business plan that would help us compete at the highest level, and on a level playing field,” said Gill.
“2014 saw our club finish 4th in Super League, become Challenge Cup finalist, and be within 80 minutes of the League Leaders Shield . This year we currently sit in joint 5th in the Super League table, in what is arguably the most competitive league table ever,”
“I fully understand the need to retain our home talent from the NRL and Rugby Union, however I do feel as though we will end up with once again the top five clubs winning everything and the others just making up the numbers. We don’t believe this is good for the game long term, therefore we felt we could not support the marquee proposal yesterday.”
Tigers head coach Daryl Powell also remains unsure on the new rule.
“I’m not sure it’s something we needed to do having got a competition that looks like it’s got a bit of parity. I do think we have a strong competition at the moment that is tough to call,” said Powell.
“I think there are a lot of questions and I’m not sure if the people doing this have got the answers. It will create some debates and banter in the changing rooms no doubt.”
