The 1970s proved to be quite a successful decade for Castleford; they won the Challenge Cup in 1970 (though they had also won it the previous year in 1969), the Yorkshire Cup in the 1977-78 season, the Player's No.6 Trophy and the BBC2 Floodlit Trophy in the 1977-78 season, and finished with an average 8.6 point finish in the then-named First Division league table. Throughout the decade, a number of stars emerged within the Castleford ranks - the overwhelming majority homegrown - some of whom are unlucky to miss the final five in this list. Such examples include Alan Ackroyd, Bruce Burton, Steve Fenton, Ray Newton, Mick Redfearn and Terry Richardson.
John Joyner is also omitted because he is already included in the best from the 1980s, likewise, Clive Dickinson played most of his career in the 1960s.
Geoff "Sammy" Lloyd
A goal-kicking master, Sammy Lloyd still holds the record for the amount of goals converted in a match at 14 - this was in a 61-10 win against Oldham for Hull FC whom he joined from Castleford in 1978. Lloyd joined Castleford in 1969 and though he did not play in the club's Challenge Cup victory in 1970, Lloyd still racked up one Yorkshire Cup title, one Player's No.6 Trophy and one BBC2 Floodlit Trophy and accrued two Yorkshire appearances whilst in West Yorkshire.
As a second-rower, Lloyd was a formidable player on the field and was as tough as old boots.
But, it is his boots which etched Lloyd into Rugby League folklore. Whilst at Castleford, Lloyd kicked an astonishing 741 goals in 225 appearances, crossing the whitewash 44 times and also landing two drop-goals. In all, the back-rower racked up an incredible 1616 points at Castleford and will go down in history as one of the most impressive goal kickers ever.
Brian Lockwood
A Castleford lad, Brian Lockwood became an established Great Britain player throughout the 1970s, winning 19 caps - most of them whilst he was at Castleford. Lockwood - a back-rower by trade - made his first appearance for Castleford in 1965 and in his ten years at the club, registered 231 appearances, scoring 38 tries and kicking eight goals.
His determined running and brute force proved to be a massive hit with Castleford fans and the back-rower was a vital component in the club's back-to-back Challenge Cup successes in 1969 and 1970.
Appearing seven times for Yorkshire whilst at Castleford, Lockwood's deft ball skills and inspirational attitude on the field meant that he became just one of a few British players to be a success Down Under - he helped Canterbury Bulldogs reach the Grand Final in 1974.
Steve Norton
Steve "Knocker" Norton began his career at Wheldon Road and would go on to play for Castleford for eight years in the 1970s. A tough and physical character - hence the nickname "Knocker" - loose-forward Norton played 183 times for the West Yorkshire side, scoring 56 tries and kicking four goals and a drop-goal.
With a distinctive side-step and an ability to offload the ball in difficult situations, Norton garnered a reputation for himself as one of the great forwards of his time. No wonder then, that Norton received both county and national call-ups.
He played nine times for Yorkshire, 11 times for England and 12 times for Great Britain and won both the BBC2 Floodlit Trophy and the Player's No.6 Trophy whilst at Castleford. Often compared to his peer Malcolm Reilly, Norton was a skilful player that could create something out of nothing.
Malcolm Reilly
Possibly the greatest player to ever wear a Castleford shirt, Malcolm Reilly began his career at his boyhood club in 1967. An incredibly talented and intimidating player, Reilly was ahead of his time; the skill he produced in a Castleford shirt was something rarely seen on a rugby field before.
But, he was not just flashy, he was aggressive and physical too; in fact, Reilly was the complete player. A ball-handling loose-forward, Reilly was one of the first players to ever run with the ball in one outstretched hand, which allowed him to get an offload away out of the tackle if necessary.
Reilly was that good that he just could not be ignored for representative honours; he played three times for Yorkshire, three times for England and nine times for Great Britain - though he was also part of the successful Lions' tour of Australia in 1970. At Castleford, he won two Challenge Cups in 1969 and 1970 - in 1969 he was awarded the Lance Todd Trophy - and two BBC2 Floodlit Trophies.
His performances for Castleford were that good that Australian side Manly came calling with a cheque for $30,000 - a world-record transfer fee in 1971.
He returned to Wheldon Road in 1975 and, though plagued by a knee injury sustained in Australia, Reilly's quality was still there to see. He was the beating heart of Castleford on the field in the 1970s and will always be remembered for the brilliant service he gave the club, as both a player and a head coach.
Bob Spurr
Robert "Bob" Spurr was born in Pontefract and played most of his career at Wheldon Road. Spurr - a durable No.9 - made his debut in 1968 and went on to play 323 games in a Castleford shirt, scoring 45 tries over a period of 15 years. Spurr was a reliable and tough hooker, regularly mixing it with the opposition's forwards despite his small stature. Whilst at Castleford, Spurr won two Yorkshire call-ups, a Yorkshire Cup, a BBC2 Floodlit Trophy as well as a Player's No.6 Trophy.
A classy little player, Spurr won the respect of both his teammates and rivals, playing the game full of heart and refusing to take a backwards step. In an era where scrums were still contested, Spurr was a shrewd hooker, often winning the ball against the head with his quick thinking and astute timing. Spurr is a legend of the club and rightly so; he proved vital in Castleford's trophy-winning exploits in the 1970s.
