FORMER Castleford Tigers head coach Craig Lingard has been given a statement of support from the Sheffield Eagles hierarchy following a dismal start to the 2025 Championship season.
The Eagles currently sit in tenth in the second tier having won just three of their opening nine games – which is a far cry away from the success that former boss Mark Aston enjoyed.
Aston himself is currently serving an 18-month suspension handed to him by the RFL, and now the club has confirmed that the club legend will continue solely in his commercial role with a director of rugby position “no longer affordable.”
A statement on behalf of the Board of Directors reads: “The board recognises the amount of upheaval and change which the club has been through in the past year, and we would like to publicly thank Craig Lingard and his team for their efforts and dedication to the club during this period of change.
“Craig and all his off-field team are good, hardworking and honest people and have been putting in a huge amount of effort to their roles, in some difficult circumstances, with the single aim of making Sheffield Eagles a success.
“Whilst the club has ambitions to compete at the top end of the Championship, and there have been some disappointing results this year, the board does not underestimate the efforts which the coaching staff have been putting in to refocus the squad and to get the results that everyone at the club deserves and want to ensure that these efforts do not go unrecognised.
“As part of the review of progress, the board is confident that Lingard and his team have the necessary skills, contacts and support within the club structure to develop and recruit future talent for Sheffield Eagles and to shape the men’s team for future seasons to be successful.
“As the club looks to prioritise resources, it has been determined not to continue with a future role of director of rugby, which is neither affordable or required for a club of our size to have in addition to a full-time coach. Mark Aston has been informed of this and is currently working with the board to develop and expand the commercial operations of the club to increase and diversify commercial revenue coming into the club in the role to which he was appointed in December 2024.
“The coaching team is actively working collaboratively with the board to re-contract retention targets in the current squad and identify new recruits for the 2026 season and beyond, whilst continuing the drive to improve performance in the current season.”
