I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to talk to Castleford's number 24, James Clare, and ask him a few questions. Here's how it went:
Talk about rugby while growing up (any teams that you played for and how you got picked up by Castleford).
I played all my amateur rugby at Lock Lane ARLFC, a local side two minutes’ walk from the Castleford Tigers ground. I started playing at around 10 or 11 years of age. It wasn’t until the under 18’s that I was picked up by Castleford. Ex Castleford Tigers player James Ford was our coach at the time and recommended to Steve Gill (current CEO) that he should watch a few of us that played for his team.
You've been playing for Castleford for two-years now, right? You also made your debut against Huddersfield in March 2012 (I think...) Do you remember that game? What was it like running out onto the pitch for the first team for the first time?
This season will be my 3rd year at Castleford. I remember my debut very clearly. Wearing my first shirt printed with my name and number on the back was a special feeling. The result of the game wasn’t the greatest start to a professional career however I still loved and enjoyed every single second of it.
So, onto this season. It's been amazing for your team, who are now sitting third in the Super League table. Was there anything different about pre-season that has improved the skill within the team? It must be nice to see the hard-work paying off!
Ben Cooper (head of strength of conditioning) has worked very hard with us during the preseason to physically prepare us for the season. I really think the whole team are currently reaping the rewards of all the hard work expelled during that time. Darryl Powell and Danny Orr have also spent a lot of time creating a winning mentality where we as a team work and really hard and turn up for each other week in week out. We are all like a family and I think that’s showing on the field.
What's it like playing in front of 1000's of fans each week? If you could say anything to them, what would it be?
It’s scary at times, but equally the greatest feeling ever. All fans in super league are incredibly passionate about their team. However the Castleford Tigers fans are truly something special. I really feel privileged to see the huge support that turns up every single week, whatever the weather and more importantly home AND away.
I asked Weller the same question, but it's one I like. It's about the Castleford ground. Lots of people agree that the ground is really tight and can be quite frightening for the opposition. What do you make of the ground? Does it feel as if the fans are alongside you on the pitch?
The MAH Jungle is really a special place to play. Sunday afternoons ‘darn lane’ arguably host the best games you’ll see in super league. The ground does make the fans feel extremely close but that’s a good feeling and there’s time where the Cas fans really lift the entire team.
Where does the dream go to within the Cas team? Do you guys talk about reaching Finals this year?
We talk about being a winning team, and everyone in the team really believes in our own ability. We have the passion and ability to reach finals. At the start of the season we talked about being a top 8 team. Confidence is high now and we all trust Darryl and Danny. I have no doubt we will be there at the end of the season. We also have a great opportunity in the Challenge Cup. Right now though we are just taking one game at time and really focusing on consistency.
Who is the hardest player you've ever played against or with?
I once said Harrison Hansen was. Wigan away last year I remember him hitting me and it felt like I’d been hit by a bus. However now I’d say Oliver Holmes is, some of the tackles he’s done this year have been painful to watch. Every week he gives 110% because that’s the type of bloke he is.
What has been your most memorable moment within your career?
Last year’s final fixture against Wakefield away. Derby games are always special, but I managed to grab 4 tries that game. We didn’t end up winning the game but it was a special feeling scoring those try’s.
Now for some team questions, with a little bit of banter!
Who complains the most within the team (if anyone)?
Rich Owen likes to moan a lot, but without a doubt it’s Kirk Dixon.
Who has the worst music taste (Weller said most of the team think Webster haha)?
Jake Webster, the whole team agrees. No arguing about it.
Who likes to think of themselves as a good singer haha?
Michael Channing sings the most but I couldn’t say that we have any good ones!!
What's the most embarrassing thing that's happened in training?
I once by accident pulled the crossbar down on the training field. We were joking around, I had a bet that I could jump and reach it easily. I jumped up and grabbed it. The whole thing came down with me. I had to ring Darryl and confess. At least I won the bet!
Fans' questions-
Mike Preston from Twitter asked- If the opportunity arose would you like to try the NRL or would you like to stay as a one club man?
Every Rugby league player wants to play their best possible rugby league and play in finals.
Right now though I’m happy with Castleford. It’s who I wanted to play for as a boy.
Sara from Twitter asked- Which is your preferred position?
I’m happy to play in any position that needs me. If Darryl and Danny asked me to play in the front row, I'd definitely give it my best shot. I enjoy playing wing at the moment though. We are playing some really attractive rugby and the wingers are getting a lot of ball. I’d also like to play full back a little more further into my career.
Tom Little from Facebook asked- did you ever think that you would make it into the first team? Or is this a dream come true?
A dream come true. Being 18 and still playing for my amateur side id almost given up the dream. I’m very thankful for the opportunity Steve Gill gave me.
Tom also asked- Is their any kind of diet did you have to have to become more successful?
We quite often need to think hard about what we eat. Diet is incredibly important for any athlete. Luckily we have a chef at Castleford who cooks for us.
Tom also asked- Would you rather see in the Rugby League world, Lancashire vs Yorkshire or England vs Exiles?
I couldn’t choose just one, id have both. I remember growing up watching Yorkshire vs Lancashire games though, so it’d be nice to see it come back.
Chris Todd from Twitter asked- How did you get into rugby?
A close childhood friend John Davies (ex Castleford Tigers, current Batley player)
He played for Lock Lane and I kind of went there just because he was there. Also on my street growing up there was current super league players Rob Burrow, Michael Shenton and Ben Crooks, Ben’s dad also Castleford legend Lee Crooks. So it was kind of a rugby mad street. We all would play touch and pass on the street growing up.
Chris also asks- Would you ever switch sports and join Bolton F.C? ;)
No chance, I enjoy rugby way too much.
Your teammate Andy Lynch asked- is it true that @Oli_Holmes always gives 110% in everything he does as that's the kind of bloke he is?
I mentioned @Oli_Holmes earlier. He really does give 110% in everything because that is the kind of bloke he is.
Thanks again to James Clare for answering the questions, he's a really nice guy! Go give him a follow and say thanks to him from me, @JamesClare91.
Talk about rugby while growing up (any teams that you played for and how you got picked up by Castleford).
I played all my amateur rugby at Lock Lane ARLFC, a local side two minutes’ walk from the Castleford Tigers ground. I started playing at around 10 or 11 years of age. It wasn’t until the under 18’s that I was picked up by Castleford. Ex Castleford Tigers player James Ford was our coach at the time and recommended to Steve Gill (current CEO) that he should watch a few of us that played for his team.
You've been playing for Castleford for two-years now, right? You also made your debut against Huddersfield in March 2012 (I think...) Do you remember that game? What was it like running out onto the pitch for the first team for the first time?
This season will be my 3rd year at Castleford. I remember my debut very clearly. Wearing my first shirt printed with my name and number on the back was a special feeling. The result of the game wasn’t the greatest start to a professional career however I still loved and enjoyed every single second of it.
So, onto this season. It's been amazing for your team, who are now sitting third in the Super League table. Was there anything different about pre-season that has improved the skill within the team? It must be nice to see the hard-work paying off!
Ben Cooper (head of strength of conditioning) has worked very hard with us during the preseason to physically prepare us for the season. I really think the whole team are currently reaping the rewards of all the hard work expelled during that time. Darryl Powell and Danny Orr have also spent a lot of time creating a winning mentality where we as a team work and really hard and turn up for each other week in week out. We are all like a family and I think that’s showing on the field.
What's it like playing in front of 1000's of fans each week? If you could say anything to them, what would it be?
It’s scary at times, but equally the greatest feeling ever. All fans in super league are incredibly passionate about their team. However the Castleford Tigers fans are truly something special. I really feel privileged to see the huge support that turns up every single week, whatever the weather and more importantly home AND away.
I asked Weller the same question, but it's one I like. It's about the Castleford ground. Lots of people agree that the ground is really tight and can be quite frightening for the opposition. What do you make of the ground? Does it feel as if the fans are alongside you on the pitch?
The MAH Jungle is really a special place to play. Sunday afternoons ‘darn lane’ arguably host the best games you’ll see in super league. The ground does make the fans feel extremely close but that’s a good feeling and there’s time where the Cas fans really lift the entire team.
Where does the dream go to within the Cas team? Do you guys talk about reaching Finals this year?
We talk about being a winning team, and everyone in the team really believes in our own ability. We have the passion and ability to reach finals. At the start of the season we talked about being a top 8 team. Confidence is high now and we all trust Darryl and Danny. I have no doubt we will be there at the end of the season. We also have a great opportunity in the Challenge Cup. Right now though we are just taking one game at time and really focusing on consistency.
Who is the hardest player you've ever played against or with?
I once said Harrison Hansen was. Wigan away last year I remember him hitting me and it felt like I’d been hit by a bus. However now I’d say Oliver Holmes is, some of the tackles he’s done this year have been painful to watch. Every week he gives 110% because that’s the type of bloke he is.
What has been your most memorable moment within your career?
Last year’s final fixture against Wakefield away. Derby games are always special, but I managed to grab 4 tries that game. We didn’t end up winning the game but it was a special feeling scoring those try’s.
Now for some team questions, with a little bit of banter!
Who complains the most within the team (if anyone)?
Rich Owen likes to moan a lot, but without a doubt it’s Kirk Dixon.
Who has the worst music taste (Weller said most of the team think Webster haha)?
Jake Webster, the whole team agrees. No arguing about it.
Who likes to think of themselves as a good singer haha?
Michael Channing sings the most but I couldn’t say that we have any good ones!!
What's the most embarrassing thing that's happened in training?
I once by accident pulled the crossbar down on the training field. We were joking around, I had a bet that I could jump and reach it easily. I jumped up and grabbed it. The whole thing came down with me. I had to ring Darryl and confess. At least I won the bet!
Fans' questions-
Mike Preston from Twitter asked- If the opportunity arose would you like to try the NRL or would you like to stay as a one club man?
Every Rugby league player wants to play their best possible rugby league and play in finals.
Right now though I’m happy with Castleford. It’s who I wanted to play for as a boy.
Sara from Twitter asked- Which is your preferred position?
I’m happy to play in any position that needs me. If Darryl and Danny asked me to play in the front row, I'd definitely give it my best shot. I enjoy playing wing at the moment though. We are playing some really attractive rugby and the wingers are getting a lot of ball. I’d also like to play full back a little more further into my career.
Tom Little from Facebook asked- did you ever think that you would make it into the first team? Or is this a dream come true?
A dream come true. Being 18 and still playing for my amateur side id almost given up the dream. I’m very thankful for the opportunity Steve Gill gave me.
Tom also asked- Is their any kind of diet did you have to have to become more successful?
We quite often need to think hard about what we eat. Diet is incredibly important for any athlete. Luckily we have a chef at Castleford who cooks for us.
Tom also asked- Would you rather see in the Rugby League world, Lancashire vs Yorkshire or England vs Exiles?
I couldn’t choose just one, id have both. I remember growing up watching Yorkshire vs Lancashire games though, so it’d be nice to see it come back.
Chris Todd from Twitter asked- How did you get into rugby?
A close childhood friend John Davies (ex Castleford Tigers, current Batley player)
He played for Lock Lane and I kind of went there just because he was there. Also on my street growing up there was current super league players Rob Burrow, Michael Shenton and Ben Crooks, Ben’s dad also Castleford legend Lee Crooks. So it was kind of a rugby mad street. We all would play touch and pass on the street growing up.
Chris also asks- Would you ever switch sports and join Bolton F.C? ;)
No chance, I enjoy rugby way too much.
Your teammate Andy Lynch asked- is it true that @Oli_Holmes always gives 110% in everything he does as that's the kind of bloke he is?
I mentioned @Oli_Holmes earlier. He really does give 110% in everything because that is the kind of bloke he is.
Thanks again to James Clare for answering the questions, he's a really nice guy! Go give him a follow and say thanks to him from me, @JamesClare91.