After a previous season in the relegation dog-fight, who would have predicted the outcome at the end of this one. It started with another new Chairman as David Poulter took over from Charles Davison. Hickson became the club's main sponsor in their first season of a long partnership. Gary Connell was advised to retire due to a neck injury within the first few weeks of the start and was granted a 3-month testimonial.

1 defeat in the first 8 games speaks for itself as Castleford fought through to the Yorkshire Cup final on 27 October against Hull KR. Humberside again walked away with the spoils in an 18–22 defeat for Castleford before 12,686 spectators.

The rest of the league season did not shine like the beginning and the final record was P30 W12 D1 L17 to finish 11th from 16 – only 1 place higher than last year. On a low note, a club record defeat was suffered by 12–62 at St Helens but this was tempered 17 days later with a Wembley win. The record defeat previously was 8–58 and had stood since 1953. On an individual level, no hat tricks were scored in the season. 3 tries were obviously not good enough because Ian French scored 5 to equal the club record in a 60-6 win at Hunslet, and for the first time two players scored 4 in a match when Chris Chapman and Tony Marchant helped beat Hunslet 60-2.

A total of 42 matches were played and 32 players used. Reflecting the early season's successes and cup runs, average attendances rose by 430 to 3701. There were some strange runs of matches. The season started in September and Castleford had squeezed 8 games in by the end, an average of 1 every 3 or 4 days. When the club played Oldham at home on January 19, they did not play at home again until 28 March, but played 8 away games thanks to unlucky cup draws. To counterbalance this, from 28 March to 22 April Castleford played 9 games in 25 days, 7 of them at home.

Yet again the Challenge Cup provided the excitement as the club again proved it had the quality to win any one-off game but not the consistency to do the job every week. Thus, having defeated Hunslet 60-6, Barrow 30-6 and Wigan 10-2 – all drawn away again, Oldham were beaten 18-7 in the semi-final and Hull KR stepped up from that area again to oppose the final. This time, however, Castleford would not be denied and a 15–14 win brought the cup back to Castleford for the fourth, and up to the centenary year, a disappointing last time. In the 1st round win at Hunslet it is worth noting again that Ian French scored 5 tries to equal the club record.

The club had tried to strengthen the team in the close season and had been unsuccessful when Australian Mal Graham of Hunslet had signed instead for Oldham.

After the club got to Wembley, it launched the lifeline draw. Chairman David Poulter called a special meeting to tell everyone of the financial struggle, informing them that without their help rugby league in the town would be a thing of the past and supporters’ help was vital. A recurring theme down the years. Mick Morgan was brought in to launch the scheme.

In the Alliance league, Castleford finished 2nd in the league on equal points with Hull. Steve Gill was named as the first Alliance League Player of the Year, although the award within the club went to Ian Fletcher.

In awards, Kevin Ward won Sunday People Man of the Month in March.

Representatives

Kenny Hill, Shaun Irwin, Dean Sampson and Roy Southernwood played for Yorkshire Colts
Gary Hyde and John Joyner played for Yorkshire, Joyner captaining the side
Tony Marchant played for Great Britain

Debut this season after joining the club

Steve Diamond stand-off Hunslet
Alan Shillito prop Halifax plus £5000 for Neil James

Other debuts

Tony Spears sub back Castleford Colts
Neil Greatbatch wing Castleford Colts
Phil Payne centre Castleford Colts
Roy Southernwood sub back Castleford Colts

Last career game played this season and next move

Steve Diamond stand-off Moved to Wakefield Trinity in 1986/87
Iain Hartley second row Doncaster 1986/87 on loan and later returned. Later transfer to Dewsbury 1987/88
Neil Greatbatch wing
Phil Payne centre Bramley on loan and later returned 1986/87 then Doncaster £4000 1987/88
Barry Higgins utility forward
Steve Fenton wing
Ian Orum scrum-half retired after job promotion out of area

Overseas Short term Contract players

Ian French loose forward from Wynnum Manly Australia
Jamie Sandy stand-off Brisbane Easts Australia