Ian Millward

[cpwigan]

Could not agree more Ian. TAP has and always will be dire as a coach.

[josie andrews]

Millward leaves Castleford

The Super League club confirmed the departure of the 52-year-old Australian with the Tigers bottom of the table with just three points from their first 11 matches of the 2013 season and only one win from their last 18 games.

Millward's assistant Stuart Donlan has also left the club and former scrum-half Danny Orr, who joined the backroom staff at the end of last season after retiring as a player, has been put in charge for Saturday's televised home game against Widnes.

The club face champions Leeds in the fourth round of the Tetley's Challenge Cup on Friday week.

Former Hull and Wakefield coach John Kear, a former Castleford player who is now in charge of Championship club Batley, and ex-Hull KR boss Justin Morgan are among the names being linked with the post.

"Following a meeting with Ian Millward, both parties agreed that he should relinquish his position as head coach," read a club statement.

"After a promising start to the 2013 season, recent results have been unacceptable for all concerned, including sponsors and supporters."

Millward, formerly in charge of Leigh, St Helens and Wigan, was in the second season of a three-year contract after being appointed in 2011 to succeed fellow Australian Terry Matterson.

The Tigers lost their last seven matches of Millward's first season, avoiding the wooden spoon only on points difference, and their only win this year came in round two against Leeds.

Millward, who oversaw just seven wins in 38 league games, is the second coaching casualty of Super League XVIII after Salford sacked Phil Veivers when the City Reds were bottom of the table after five rounds.

The departure of Millward is the latest chapter of a turbulent 2013 season so far for the financially-stricken Tigers.

In February Steve Ferres quit as chief executive after only seven months, citing differences of opinion with the board of directors over the future direction of the club, and that was followed shortly afterwards by the resignation of commercial manager Nick Fozzard.

The club have promoted Steve Gill from the role of head of youth development to take over from Ferres and this week appointed a new commercial team but work on a proposed new stadium, which is seen as crucial to the club's long-term future, has stalled and, in the meantime, their current Wheldon Road ground continues to fall into decay.

Millward's first spell in Yorkshire was also marked with difficulties in his private life.

His 19-year-old son Robbie died of a heart attack in February 2012, forcing him to take a month's compassionate leave, and earlier this month he lost a close friend, Arthur Thomas, who played a big role in his career at Leigh and St Helens.

It was Leigh who gave Millward his big break in coaching in 1998. He was recruited two years later by St Helens to take over from Ellery Hanley and became their most successful coach in the modern era.

They won the Grand Final in 2000 and 2002, lifted the Challenge Cup in 2001 and 2004 and were crowned world club champions in 2001, when Millward was named Super League coach of the year.

His time at Knowsley Road was not without controversy, however, and he was sacked in May 2005 for gross misconduct.

He was sensationally appointed by Wigan just two weeks later but lasted only a year in the post after being unable to turn around their fortunes.

In October 2006 he returned to Australia and coached at North Queensland and Canberra before returning to Leigh for a third spell in 2010.

http://www.sportinglife.com/rugby-leagu ... astleford?

[josie andrews]

Orr put in charge of Tigers as Millward leaves Castleford

After much speculation all day Castleford Tigers have announced that they have parted company with head coach Ian Millward and assistant coach Stuart Donlan.

A club statement read: “A run of seven straight defeats has left the Tigers bottom of the Super League table with three points from 11 games.

“Following a meeting with Ian Millward, both parties agreed that he should relinquish his position as head coach.

“After a promising start to the 2013 season, recent results have been unacceptable for all concerned, including sponsors and supporters.

“The club would like to thank Ian for his services and wish him all the best for the future.

“Assistant coach Danny Orr will take temporary charge of the first team.

“The club will make an announcement regarding a new head coach in due course.”

http://www.pontefractandcastlefordexpre ... -1-5565860

[markill]

Good luck to Danny Orr. Not sure if he'll be able to create the disciplined culture the team clearly need. Biggest problem for Cas is if they aren't performing at all on the field just having Rangi Chase and Daryl Clark isn't enough to get a Super League License next time round.