Thousands sign Castleford Tigers petition to help club move

Club chief executive Richard Wright (right) said a lot of hard work had gone into the campaign

Thousands have signed a petition urging a council to support plans for a supermarket at a rugby club's current ground to help it move to a new stadium.

Castleford Tigers received planning consent in April for a new 13,300 capacity stadium in Glasshoughton

The rugby league team would move to the new 20-acre site by the start of the 2013 season.

A petition signed by 19,398 people backs the supermarket on Wheldon Road.

The Tigers agreed in March to move in a £50m deal that could see their current site become a supermarket.

Chief executive Richard Wright had previously said the move would "kick start regeneration in the Wheldon Road corridor and town centre".

'Amazing number'

The new stadium would be funded by Opus Land (North) Ltd and its financial partner Palmer Capital providing planning permission is granted to them to use the Tiger's current site for a supermarket.

On Wednesday Mr Wright said the petition which was organised by Tigers' fans was appreciated.

Mr Wright said: "Over 19,000 signatures is a great result, a lot of hard work has gone in and on behalf of everybody at the club I'd like to thank all those who have contributed.

"The amazing number of signatures just shows what the people want for this district.

"I think the public can see the wider benefits this development will bring, not only in terms of enabling construction of the new stadium, but also the regeneration of Wheldon Road, the town centre and the site at Glasshoughton."

The supermarket application is expected to be heard at a date to be set in August.