Axe falls on injury-jinxed Feather (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Axe falls on injury-jinxed Feather

7:50am Tuesday 23rd September 2008 in

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Chris Feather has been given the bullet by the Bulls but admits: I can’t complain.

The injury-jinxed prop today joined Castleford Tigers after being released from the final year of his Odsal contract.

Boss Steve McNamara made the decision to cut him from Bradford’s 2009 squad and a settlement has been agreed between both parties.

Feather – who has managed just 30 games in two years – conceded: “Obviously I’m gutted but I can’t really complain.

I’ve always done all my rehab, only to come back and get a new injury – ankle, back, shoulder and neck. I wish I could have played more but it just didn’t work out

Chris Feather

“It’s been non-stop injuries since I’ve been there – not recurring stuff but all different ones.

“It will be good to make a clean start at Cas and see how it goes.

“I’ve no regrets as there’s nothing more I could have done at Bradford.

“I’ve always done all my rehab, only to come back and get a new injury – ankle, back, shoulder and neck.

“I wish I could have played more but it just didn’t work out.”

Feather joined from Leeds Rhinos at the end of 2006 looking to prove them wrong after coach Tony Smith told him to look for a new club.

But the giant front-rower has been plagued by a series of frustrating setbacks including a broken ankle, two dislocated shoulders and a frightening neck injury that caused a “mini-stroke” leaving him temporarily paralysed in April.

“I’ve never really had any serious injuries before I came to Bradford and I’ve just had an unlucky two years,” Feather insisted.

“Hopefully I’ve got them all out of the way now though.

“It’s different to Leeds. When I left there I didn’t really have a chance but this time I know what I’ve done and it’s not my fault, Macca’s or the club’s.

“I’ve made a lot of good mates at the Bulls and they’re a great group. They’ve really helped me get through some hard times when I have been injured so much and down in the dumps.”

Keighley-born Feather, 26, is confident of stepping up to the mark with Castleford, where Bulls team-mate James Evans has also made the same switch.

“Having Jimmy there too will help me settle in and it’s an exciting prospect,” he said.

“(Coach) Terry Matterson seems pretty switched on and Cas have made some good signings like Ryan Hudson, who I know well from my Wakefield days.

“I wouldn’t have signed if I didn’t think they could do well.”

Playing regular rugby will help his cause – Feather only started seven times for Bradford – but he insists he isn’t expecting to walk straight in to the Tigers side.

“I’ll be one of the older props but there’s a lot of competition with Mitchell Sargeant, Craig Huby, Liam Higgins and Ryan Boyle,” he said, after penning a one-year deal.

“I’ve just had a clean-out on my shoulder but I’ll be fine and ready to go when we’re back for pre-season.”

McNamara said: “I think this is the best thing for both parties.

“Chris has been great around the place and gives everything in terms of training and when he’s had opportunities to play but it’s just not quite worked out, the main reason being injuries.

“It’s the right time for a fresh start, there’s no hard feelings and we wish him all the best.”

Matterson added: “I am really pleased to have Chris on board, he is the sort of player we have been looking for.

“He is big and strong and very mobile and will give our pack some real strength and stature.

“I met Chris briefly four years ago when I was with Canberra. He was on holiday but called in to see Dave Furner, who was a friend of his, and I know that Dave would have liked to have had him on board at the Raiders.

“He has had a tough couple of years but he is raring to go and at 26 I feel that his best rugby is ahead of him.”