Demolition job at Leeds Rhinos proves ideal tonic for Castleford Tigers fan

Pitts is project manager for Caddick Construction, who are rebuilding Emerald Headingley in a massive £40m revamp.

After seeing Tigers’ hopes of a first Super League title wrecked by Leeds at Old Trafford, Pitts – who has worked for Paul Caddick, Rhinos’ chairman, since the mid-1990s – admitted doing the same to Headingley’s more than 80-year-old stands has given him extra satisfaction.

“I said after the Grand Final, it hasn’t been a great week, but there are some pleasures in life, knocking the North Stand down,” he said.

“I’ve stood on the Western Terrace as a Cas fan since I was 10 or 11 and I’ve seen my team get some hidings, though recently – apart from the Grand Final – we’ve done okay.

“I’ve always had a heavy involvement with the ground and professionally it is not an issue, but sometimes – as a Cas fan – I do have a wry smile to myself.”

Demolition and removal of Rhinos’ iconic South Stand has been completed and work on the steelwork for the new structure will begin on Monday.