JUST over 12 months ago, Scott Wheeldon's career hung in the balance.
The 28-year-old had just played in London's embarrassing 70-0 defeat to Wigan in the Challenge Cup semi-final.
The future of the club was in serious doubt, with financial woes taking their toll on the club that would eventually see them relegated this season.
Hull-born Wheeldon expected to spend the off-season begging for a club to hand him a lifeline.
But before things got to that stage, Castleford coach Daryl Powell came in and offered Wheeldon a golden opportunity to join the Tigers.
Now, just two days before the Challenge Cup Final, Wheeldon hopes he can repay Powell with a performance that will help the Tigers end their 28-year wait to get their hands on the famous trophy.
"It's been a massive turnaround for me in the last 12 months," Wheeldon told the Mail.
"I didn't know where my career was headed after London were hammered 70-0 by Wigan in the cup semi-final.
"The future was bleak for the club, we knew that.
"I knew I wasn't one of the players who stood out in that team and I felt I would have to beg for a contract at another club. When Daryl offered me a deal I was over the moon.
"I am so thankful to him for giving me the chance to stay in Super League.
"It was a real boost for me to know he wanted me and he asked me to join his club.
"I had no second thoughts about signing for him and for Castleford because it has worked out well for me."
And that is an understatement.
Wheeldon has experienced a Challenge Cup Final before. He and Tigers team-mate Kirk Dixon were part of the first-team squad when Hull FC got to the showpiece climax in 2005 at the Millennium Stadium.
Neither got to play in the 25-24 victory over Leeds Rhinos, but the experience has left Wheeldon hungry for more cup final glory.
"That was my first year as a professional player," said Wheeldon, who also spent three-and-a-half seasons at Hull KR.
"I went down to Cardiff with them and got to be a part of the celebrations in the changing room afterwards. I really enjoyed that weekend because I knew I wouldn't be taking part in the final.
"That feeling has stayed with me and has spurred me on ever since.
"Hopefully Kirk and I can celebrate afterwards knowing we have played big parts in a Castleford win."
Wheeldon has played a huge role in the success of Powell's side, whose goal was to finish the season in the top eight.
They have a chance to finish in the top four and they are about to play Leeds in the Challenge Cup final.
Wheeldon doesn't know if he will feature for the Tigers, but is hoping to get the nod at the Wembley decider, even if he doesn't know the words of the pre-match anthem Abide With Me.
"There is still time to learn the words," Wheeldon said.
"If I do play, I will be blocking all those things out of my mind and focusing on the game.
"I've told myself that for 80 minutes, I have to concentrate on the game like I did during the semi-final win over Widnes.
"It's easy to look at the crowd if there is a scrum but that distracts you from what you are supposed to be doing.
"We just have to do the same as we did against Widnes in the semi-final.
"If we do, then we have a great chance of bringing the cup back to Castleford."
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