Well I have not posted for a while. But it’s time to come out of hibernation. I have always tried to be positive on here, But that’s about to change, I went down for the first visit and game of 2015, I didn’t expect much and wasn’t disappointed, plenty to work on, defence especially looked shaky.
What I did note and more worrying was the air of gloom around the place. Fans (the few who were there) looking and sounding downbeat, which may have been down to the team not at their best. But for me it was the general state of the ground, the terrace at the top end covered in litter safety barriers rusting, the fence and the hoardings around the pitch in a state of dis-repair, the post's even looked like the were ready to topple and in need of a lick of paint. The entrance at the bottom, just shabby and tatty, and rusting cougar vans parked up, the list could go on, it all give the air of a place on its last legs.
Solution I haven’t got one, it takes money time and labour to spruce the old place up a bit, and all 3 of those are in short supply down there. I am pretty sure efforts have been made, it just doesn’t look like it the ordinary fan who stands on the terrace. The only hope is those 17 players on the field, and the backroom staff, can get the results on the field in the next 7 months, and get promotion, then maybe the money situation will improve and maybe even the fans will return somewhere along the line. Otherwise come September I can already hear the first note of “The Last Post” sounding for the Cougars.

Anyone up for getting a team together to generally clean the ground up? It's OUR team and OUR club.

Hope you guys sort everything out. You was hard done by the RL.
Cougar park is one of my favourite away ground always a good set of fans even if the music is sometimes to loud.
Stick together lads and lasses and let hope both our clubs meet in the playoff final.

Thanks for that, Marshy. Adversity seems to be a constant companion of both our clubs. We can't seem to get the tannoy right by the way, it goes from one extreme to the other!

I would be willing to tidy up down there, it's just that I'm not in Keighley often enough. If anything is getting done when I'm around I'll gladly join in.

Flipping heck Shaun, you can tell you didn't go for a pint after the match!

During the first pint we were peed off, by the second mildly annoyed but by the third we had put the world to rights.

Get in the bar with us next time, you know it makes sense

It's obvious that the feeling of being downbeat and apathy off the pitch can transfer to the players on the pitch. If the directors can support with materials and look after the volunteers on a one-day, perhaps Saturday morning, clean-up we can make a difference and maybe be Cougars '18th man' this season. The only way is UP!

The way I see it is.......

Previously we have put out strange combinations and had inconsistent commitment to the ball and tackle in friendlies. This has given some poor spectacles for Cougar Fans. Even under the mighty JD our pre season games were dire. We have also played other teams who have put out shockingly poor performances in pre season friendlies.


What I do not want to see is players doing something daft and us having to start the season with a load of injuries.
I recall Ash Lyndsey being over enthusiastic when he first arrived in a friendly and a daft injury at the start of his first season.

Pre season friendly games are a chance to try a few moves, player combinations and little more than a training session.

Would I want Marchy to show all our cards prior to the games which count?

We are still in pre season prep and I expect Cougars to "Raise their game" when the games start to count.

Whilst I like anybody else will have an opinion on what I see in each game I reserve judgement on how the season will pan out until we have
played games in which there are points to be taken.

I wouldn't judge a cake until it was finished being prepared and I think Mr March's tactics and preparations are still a work in progress.

Lets wait until we see the finished product.

Spot on Micky

Only one reply to my idea to spruce up our ground (well done County Durham Cougar - top man!) so maybe we have the club we deserve?

Fair point Len, but the reality is most people have commitment's, work etc, myself I am lucky if I can make every home game. However that doesn't mean your idea doesn't have some mileage, maybe thinking outside the box a little, Keighley College, Return to work organisation for instance, surly there must be people on courses there, doing painting and decorating, building carpentry,plumbing etc, how about linking up to give some real on the job experience, we have several building merchants and DIY stores in the Town maybe approaching them for materials. Coupled with any volunteers who can help,it may be a way forward. There must be someone out there(from the club)who can fill in the spaces in this idea and see if it is possible.

Micky you are right in what you say about friendly's.
My concern is the amount of points shipped in over 3 games we have played.
Over 150 points isn't something that should happen as all the players who have played are 1st team squad players.
It was heard in the bar Paul March say the players attitudes were wrong on Sunday.
That's nothing to do with whats gone on in training.
Most training sessions will be very similar to all the others they have had with the exception of working on a few new things and trying to iron out a few mistakes.
But attitude how can that be used as an excuse?
We played what is in my mind more or less our strongest squad on Sunday and we were poor.
Swinton came with the right attitude and it showed.

Sadly,at the moment Yes!!
That doesn't mean things can't improve but it takes teamwork to get things done.
The directors will have a strategy, that is their role. What it is,how it will be implemented are what they expect their employees to undertake.
I would suggest that getting people on board and getting the right thing done is the biggest challenge.
Not easy as things stand but then doing anything well takes practice.

Some years ago Helen got a team together and we painted the crash barriers then two seasons ago we got a team down to clear the pitch of snow to get a game on Good Friday. All it needs is for a few hours one Saturday morning. As the ground is now it is putting people of coming down and - yes adding to the general feeling of despondency. "If we clean it they will come!" (Apologies to Kevin Costner!)

Look at what Batley has achieved with their ground with volunteers Their Chairman is a leader and talks direct to their supporters on their forum and at regular board/fans meetings. Cougars Chairman should come on this forum directly. If he said we need painters, joiners, and general helpers. etc Meet 10am Sunday. Work til 4pm, the board will provide paint, materials and lunch at McDonalds, there would be plenty of enthusiastic helpers turn up!!