Defeat in the final game confirmed Cas's relegation

Defeat by Wakefield on the last day of the season sent the Tigers down and Matterson considered going home despite having a year left on his contract.

"Relegation was a real blow and took some coming to terms with," he said.

"But I came over here to do a job and, although relegation's a setback, my aims are the same and I am totally committed to the task in hand."

We believe some players will stick with us on the basis of Terry staying Castleford chief executive Richard Wright

Castleford could yet avoid the drop if Whitehaven were to win the National League One Grand Final on 8 October, as their stadium is not up to Super League standard.

The likelihood of that happening will become clearer on Sunday, when they face Widnes in a final eliminator at the Halton Stadium on Sunday.

But Matterson is already planning for life in the National League, and is resigned to losing the bulk of his squad, with all Super League contracts becoming null and void if relegation is confirmed.

Test players Awen Guttenbeil and Shaun Timmins, who had both agreed to join on the proviso that the Tigers were in Super League, will also not be at the club next season.

"We are now moving ahead and planning for next season," he said.

"The National League looks a tough competition and obviously we will lose a number of our current players.

"But I am confident we will put a squad together that will get us back into the top flight."

Tigers chief executive Richard Wright was delighted at Matterson's decision, and hoped it may be an inspiration to others.

"Terry's decision will certainly help us in that process and we believe some players will stick with us on the basis of Terry staying," he said.