Hi All, I am pleased to announce the squad is almost complete. We have agrred deals with four more players this week. Keighley born and breed Chris Clough is returning to cougar park. I know Chris from his time at Wakefield and through his brother and former team mate Richard Moore. Chris is a very talented player who has all the qualities to become a fans favourite down at Cougar park. Chris is under no illusion as to what is expected from him and I am confident I can have a very positive influence on his game. We have also resigned Johnny Simpson. Johnny spent all season out injured and awaiting a minor knee operation, that has now been done and I was keen to get him back as I believe if we can get Johnny fit again he could add further strength to what is already a very strong front row. We have also agreed a deal with former Halifax prop Jode Sheriffe. Jode has just finished a successful tour with Jamaica and after a conversation with Jermaine Wray, I was keen on bringing Jode on board for 2012. I have also agreed with Barrie Macdermott to bring Jake Normington to Cougar Park again for the 2012 season. Jake had a very successful loan spell with us and he was very keen to play for the Cougars in 2012 and test himself at the next level. Jake is a Leeds player and the final details of the dual reg agreement are still to be done, but I am excited to have Jake returning to us and I am committed to helping him achieve a full time contract at the Rhinos. All four players have expressed a real desire to play for Keighley Cougars and I have been impressed with their enthusiasm to compete for a place in what is becoming a healthy looking squad.

Jymel Coleman is due back from America on Friday and I have been in regular contact about keeping him with us for 2012. Jymel is moving up from London and we are actively seeking employment for Jymel in order to keep him at Cougar Park and hopefully we can secure his contract over the next week.

I have been busy trying to book our pre season schedule and so far can confirm the following fixtures;

26th Dec 2011 Halifax away 12pm kick off

8th January 2012 York away 3pm kick off

15th January 2012 Batley home 2pm kick off

t hey are the confrimed dates and I will hopefully confirm a date for our annual friendly against Bradford Bulls by the end of the week.

I am still trying to secure the services of one or two high profile players and to ensure this happens, I need our great supporters to take advantage of our season ticket offer. If we achieve our goal of 1000 that includes all types of season tickets, then this will generate the much needed revenue to allow us to add the finishing touches to our squad. If you haven’t got down to Cougar park to get your season ticket then make a trip down and get your ticket this week as the quicker we get the funds in the better position we will be in to secure the players needed. I have not and will not spend what we don’t have or spend on a hope of achieveing a certain amount only to find we didn’t reach the target and have over committed ourselves. The directors have set a realistic budget and put up a fantastic offer for supporters to purchase a season ticket and at for £5 a game, it is a season ticket worth buying and what better xmas present is there????

The players return to training this week and they can’t wait to get stuck in and keep the Cougars on the up. We are up for a big challenge in 2012 and I know it is a challenge the players are excited about.

As always thank you for your support

JD

If you build it, they will come....
Just hoping all those potential supporters are aware of the growing strength and potential of the squad JD is putting together and that they're going to take advantage of the Season Ticket offer before the deadline.

It's great to see the coach on the fans board Gotta say from starting scholarship at Cougars last year a lot of things had changed by the time we played against West Bowling. JD is making us kids do exactly the same as the first team because I believe he thinks it will benefit the Cougars as a whole as the kids will be used to the plays etc. Its a cracking idea and things are looking good for the Cougars, big time.

PS. I think I may know one high profile player JD is going for......but I aint telling

Hey, Bulls Boy, why does your location say 'Shipley, Bradford'? Shipley is not a suburb of Bradford. Like Keighley, Shipley is a separate town in its own right.

Spend most of my time in Bradford so might as well put that on too

i spoke to a few of the players on friday night at the grand final evening.
it is to my understanding that they are very excited for the season ahead and proving themselves on the big stage that is championship rugby.
the lads seen to be having a tough pre season and in my experience around rugby that is what is needed to breed a champion side.
however speaking to a certain mr normington that made an appearnace down at lawkholme, he told me he was to return in the new year and was very excited however there has not yet been a signing of an agreement.
pull out your finger jd and the team and whoever it may concern at the rhinos because i think this would be a superb addition to the back line and looking at him maybe even in the forwards if needed !!!