Malcolm Reilly was coaching the side for the 13th year in succession. However, his appointment in January 1987 as Great Britain coach meant his Castleford days became numbered.

The playing season began with a football idea borrowed by the Rugby Football League as Castleford, cup winners, played Halifax, champions, in the 2nd Charity Shield match on the Isle of Man. An 8-9 defeat following a drop goal 4 minutes from the end took the shield to Thrum Hall.

The season again started well with 8 wins and progression to the Yorkshire Cup final to play, just for a change, Hull. This time though Castleford won 31–24 to add more silverware to a trophy cabinet already holding the Challenge Cup. Favourites from the competition start, Castleford already had satisfying wins over Leeds 38–16 and Featherstone 30-2 before exacting some more revenge on Hull for their early 1980s cup reversals.

After the Yorkshire Cup final came a couple of months of indifferent form made up of win, loss, win, loss etc but then the team went inconsistent, as they won 5 on the trot then lost 5 on the trot followed by another 7 wins on the trot. The season came to an end indifferently again, with 1 win from 4 and home defeat in the Play-Offs.

Having said all that, with a season record of P30 W20 D0 L10 Castleford finished a vastly improved 4th from 16. A total of 40 matches were played and 31 players used. Robert Beardmore emulated his brother Kevin’s previous exploits by producing a 4 try performance in a 70-10 win over Barrow. Other season hat tricks went to Gary Lord, David Plange (twice) and John Kear. Building on crowds from the previous season, the average attendance rose by 1057 to 4758.

Robert Beardmore was again in the record books as he scored 38 points in a 70–10 win over Barrow to create a Division I record, only 3 years after doing the same with a 34 point haul against Leeds. This was the first time in the club's history Castleford had scored 70 points in a league game.

In the Alliance league, Castleford finished a respectable 5th in the 1st division of a now 2 division competition and won through to the Yorkshire Senior Competition Cup final where they beat Hunslet 18–8 to win the trophy for the 5th time in 7 seasons. Stuart Horton was Player of the Year. The Colts had an undistinguished season, although Roy Southernwood captained the Yorkshire Colts side and Great Britain Colts on one occasion.

When Castleford beat Blackbrook 74–6 in the Challenge Cup 1st round, both wingers, David Plange and John Kear, scored hat tricks – the only time this has ever happened for Castleford. The match was actually played at Headingley due to Wheldon Road being frost bound. The ground was still under frost 2 weeks later when the 2nd round game at home to Widnes was played. Perhaps the fact it was being televised influenced the decision only 45 minutes before kick-off to play, but Castleford were unable to reach the heights and lost by 16–24, thus leaving the cup holders out of the competition.

Barry Higgins was banned for 12 games in January 1987 after being sent off in the Alliance game at Leigh for a late high tackle. He had already served an 8 match suspension during the season.

Neil Battye was advised to quit by a specialist in September 1986 and retired but made a comeback in 1988/89.

In sad news, it was reported that ex-chairman Phil Brunt had died on 18 April 1987. He was a well-liked man and had been instrumental in bringing players to the club that had brought success, including the return of Malcolm Reilly.

Representatives

Grant Anderson, Kenny Hill, Shaun Irwin and Roy Southernwood played for Yorkshire Colts
Kenny Hill, Shaun Irwin and Roy Southernwood played for Great Britain Colts
Shaun Irwin picked for Great Britain under 21 squad
Dean Mountain played for Great Britain under 21
John Joyner and Tony Marchant played for Yorkshire, Joyner captaining the side
Kevin Beardmore, Keith England, Tony Marchant and Kevin Ward played for Great Britain

Debut this season after joining the club

Mick Morgan prop Oldham £2000 but did not play first team
John Blackburn signed during season 1985/86, second row Wakefield Rugby Union but ex Castleford Colts

Other debuts

Shaun Irwin centre Castleford Colts
Martin Slater hooker Castleford Colts
Wayne Thornton second row Castleford Colts
Grant Anderson centre Castleford Colts

Last career game played this season and next move

Martin Slater hooker Featherstone £8000
Stuart Horton hooker York £26,000 including Ian Fletcher in 1987/88
Ian Fletcher prop York £26,000 including Stuart Horton in 1987/88
Tony Spears wing

Overseas Short term Contract players

Chris Johns centre Sydney St George Australia
Colin Scott full-back Wynnum Manly Australia
Bob Lindner loose forward Wynnum Manly Australia for first stint then 1987/88 from Parramatta second stint.
Brett Atkins second row Canberra Raiders Australia for second stint. First one 1983/84