Super League 1 was here, officially titled the European Super League, and starting only 2 months after the centenary season. Much attention was to be focused on crowds and if summer rugby would be a success. More rule changes included 6 interchanges within the 4 substitutes and the adoption of player squad numbers instead of traditional 1–13.

Just before the season started Allan Agar decided to end his direct involvement in rugby league and quit as assistant coach to be replaced by Gary Stephens.

Both Huddersfield Giants and Batley Bulldogs tried to sign Graham Steadman, the latter offering £40,000. In addition, by season end Hull had tried to re-sign Lee Crooks but he rejected their offer. On the reverse side, York Australian centre Jason Laurence was due to join on loan but nothing materialised due to work permit delays. Grant Anderson joined the club again, from Halifax.

Before Super League kicked off, the Challenge Cup commenced with a 16-58 defeat to eventual winners St Helens only 2 weeks after the previous season closed. This game saw Tawera Nikau play his last game for Castleford as he then took up his new contract with Cronulla. The first Super League game led to an 18–30 loss at Bradford Bulls. However, the next game was Castleford's first win in Super League, and to make it better it was by 26–23 at home to Leeds. The season continued mainly as the previous short season had done, with some high-scoring games and Castleford inconsistency, the best winning sequence being 3 games. But there were a number of close games that could have gone either way, with late scores working both for and against the club during the season. An ignominious 0–56 defeat at London in the final game brought the curtain down on a season where a club record defeat was sustained at St Helens by 24–62. However statistics don't fully explain a season. The week after the record defeat an improved display led to a 17-22 defeat to Warrington and 4 Castleford tries turned down by the video referee, weighed against a Warrington try by Henare that was not referred despite his foot being on the touchline – resulting in the touch judge being stood down the following week. There was more controversy at Wigan where Castleford led by a point up to the last minute. With Castleford in possession, Tony Smith was penalised and sin binned for playing the ball too slowly. Andy Farrell scored the penalty goal from 40 metres, leading to a fruitless complaint about the Australian referee Stephen Clark. Wigan's first home defeat in 2 years had been averted.

The season showed P22 W9 D0 L13 for a finish of 9th from 12. In total 23 games were played and 35 players used – quite a number compared to previous seasons and considering the fewer games generally. Chris Smith scored Castleford’s first and only hat trick in Super league in a 36-31 win over Sheffield Eagles. In August, John Joyner signed a 12 month coaching contract extension after being approached by Perth Western Reds.

Off the field, by mid season the inspectors for Framing the Future had been to Castleford and told them to step up their attempts to reach minimum standards. There was also talk of a group headed by ex player Ron Hill wishing to take over the club.

Of note in the Academy, coach Paul Orr's team were beaten finalists in the Challenge Cup. Replica shirts cost £40 and were among a full range of club leisurewear available from the shop. Ground admission was £8 for adults and £4 for juniors/OAP.

Representatives

Diccon Edwards played for Wales
Tony Smith was selected for the Great Britain tour to South Pacific

Debut this season after joining the club

Frano Botica stand-off Auckland Warriors
Richard Gay full-back Hull £100,000
David Chapman centre Hunter Mariners Australia
Diccon Edwards wing Newport Rugby Union
Peter Junior Paramore prop Hunter Mariners Australia
Paul Round second row Bradford Bulls

Other debuts

Jon Wells sub back Castleford Academy
Spencer Hargrave sub forward Castleford Academy
Lee Bardauskas sub forward Castleford Academy
Eddie Glaze wing Castleford Academy
Chris Allen sub back

Last career game played this season and next move

Tawera Nikau loose forward Cronulla sharks
Gareth Stephens scrum-half Hull on loan then permanent
Colin Maskill hooker Featherstone
Frano Botica stand-off Llanelli Rugby Union
Stuart Flowers second row Hunslet
Jamie Coventry wing Huddersfield as part of Lee St Hilaire deal 1997
David Furness wing
Paul Round second row
Peter Junior Paramore prop
Chris Allen back. Joined Featherstone on loan 1998, then Sheffield on loan
Eddie Glaze wing