STEVE Ferres is hoping for the perfect send-off at Castleford tomorrow - by enjoying a first in his rugby league life.

The departing York City Knights chief executive, who hails from Cas, has never beaten his home-town club as a player, coach or chief executive.

And he is hoping that run will finally end tomorrow when the Knights open their 2005 season with a big Northern Rail Cup group match at The Jungle, his last game with the Knights before stepping out of rugby league.

"I've never won away to Cas in reserve grade, first team, First Division or Second Division, as a player, coach or chief executive," confirmed Ferres.

"I was born and bred there and it would be fantastic to win there. But it's not about me, it's about the team.

"It would be nice for me personally, but it would be great for the team to get off to a good start. That's the most important thing."

Ferres, who played a huge part in the rise of the Knights, admitted leaving would be a moving experience.

He said: "I've enjoyed my three years at York immensely and I've met some tremendous people.

"It's going to be an emotional time for me. It's like a big family and it will be very difficult to walk away from it."

He added: "I'm happy with the club's achievements and my contribution to it. But there have been other contributors to it and I would like to thank them and all the supporters for what they've done.

"It's difficult to single people out but I'd like to thank (majority shareholder) John Guildford, (director) Dave Gorwood and in particular Roger Dixon, who has been a fantastic chairman and is a very special individual with a wonderful family.

"They are capable of moving things in the right direction and I think Mick Cook and his coaching team will also do a great job."

The announcement that the former Dewsbury, Bradford and York stand-off, who later coached at Sheffield, Hunslet and Huddersfield and was chief executive at Wakefield, was to quit Huntington Stadium was made last Tuesday.

Added Ferres, who will continue to watch Knights matches: "I've had some lovely messages and I'd like to thank everybody for that. I will always have a special affinity to York."

Castleford: Platt, Pryce, Bird, Hepworth, Shenton, Kain, Handforth, A Watene, Henderson, Huby, Haughey, Crouch, A Smith. Subs: F Watene, B Smith, Reid, Cooke.

Knights: Blaymire, Fox, Potter, Ross, Buchanan, P Thorman, Levy, Sullivan, Jackson, Sozi, Callaghan, Kirke, Paterson. Subs: J Smith, Elston, Cain, Buckingham.

Referee: Ben Thaler (Wakefield)

Kick off: 3.30pm

Updated: 10:40 Saturday, February 12, 2005