MATCH INFORMATION
WORKINGTON TOWN v KEIGHLEY COUGARS - BETFRED LEAGUE ONE ROUND SEVENTEEN
SUNDAY 21ST JULY - 3PM KICK OFF
DERWENT PARK - WORKINGTON - CA14 2HG
REFEREE - MR KEVIN MOORE (NORMANTON)
ADMISSION:
ADULT - £15
CONCESSIONS (OVER 65, STUDENT, UNEMPLOYED, 16-19) - £10
CHILDREN (UNDER 15) - £3
MICK O'NEILL: "IT'S BEEN TOPSY TURVY"
MICK O'Neill says he is scouring then planet for new players for next season after reflecting on a 'topsy-turvy' first six months back in charge of Keighley Cougars.
The club's chairman, who arrived back at Cougar Park in January, says he wants to leave a lasting sporting legacy in the town following a non-stop initial six months attempting to revive Cougars' fortunes.
With the club second-from-bottom of Betfred League One despite chalking off a 12-point pre-season deduction, O'Neill has been meeting players in Australia in viewing of signing them for an assault on promotion from the game's third tier in 2020.
He said: "We're looking for players in Australia.
"After this season finishes, I will stay in Keighley until at least November and then have a couple of months off and go back to Australia and then get back for next year."
Despite their lowly position, there has been a huge turnaround and a huge amount of work done by O'Neill and co off the field to build Cougars' reputation within the sport.
O'Neill says it has been a challenging, eventful and emotional six months at the helm of the re-incarnation of Cougarmania. Now 78, he hopes to lead the club's charge back into the Championship.
Sacking head coach Craig Lingard in May, replacing him with rookie Rhys Lovegrove, bringing razzmatazz back to this area of Keighley, including an appearance, by Coronation Street actor Anthony Cotton, O'Neill says there hasn't been a dull moment for him back at Cougars.
O'Neill added: "It's been topsy-turvy.
"It's been an experience. I did not expect to do as much physical work as soon as we got here.
"The reception we have received has been good. To have the 12 points deducted was a shock. To get them taken off was a bit unfair.
"It was hard to sack the coach, Craig, it was daunting. I didn't like doing it, but we had to do it. He was a nice person. I was upset doing it.
"Phil Larder going was a bit of a blow. I am fully behind Rhys now. The players like him. He is adapting nicely. He has some good ideas. He will do a good job. We are looking to next year now."
With just a few games left of the season, O'Neill is already looking towards his, and Cougars', future and re-establishing their name in the game.
O'Neill said: "It's given me a new spark of life. I'm really enjoying it. I get emotional at times when I have to sack coaches.
"It's just up to us to be different. I want to get to 80 doing it. I want to leave a good sporting complex there and get us into the Championship.
"It's a burning ambition that Cougars have a good name after what's been going on.
"We want to be a decent club and want to bring people down."
TEAM NEWS
Head Coach Rhys Lovegrove has made two changes to the 19 man squad following last weekend's victory over the West Wales Raiders at Cougar Park.
Harvey Hallas comes into the side after re-joining the club on a permanent basis from the Dewsbury Rams last Friday evening.
Jack Arnold is the other man who comes in on the back of a string of impressive performances for the reserves sides over the last few weeks.
Jamie Thackray and Billy Gaylor are the two who miss out following the hard fought win over the Raiders last Sunday.
COUGARS: Arnold; Bailey; Barlow; Cooke; Cullimore; Darley; Dixon; Feather; Hallas; Hallett; Hardcastle; Levy; Miller; Muranka; Parker; Prell; Seeley; Sheriff; Wray.
Workington Town's Chris Thorman has started to see his injury crisis easing ahead of the visit of the Cougars.
There is a welcome return to Sean Penkywicz (Strained Adductor) who sat out last weekend's victory over the London Skolars.
Welsh international Calvin Wellington is also included in the squad after not featuring against the Skolars.
Caine Barnes and Karl Olstrom, who were both unused subs last weekend, are both nearing a return to fitness and could take to the field against Keighley.
Ryan Fieldhouse (ACL), Tyler Lancaster (Clavicle), Russ Bolton (Soft Tissue), Oliver Wilkes (Clear-out Operation) and Elliott Miller are still all sidelined for the home side.
New signing from Barrow Island, hooker Blain Marwood, is not included in the 19 man squad.
TOWN: Barnes; Curwen; Dawson; Doran; Forber; Hewitt; Hopkins; Maudling; Mellor; Moimoi; O'Donnell; Olstrom; Penkywicz; Rooke; Scholey; Singleton; Tickle; Walsh; Wellington.
BUSTER: "I'M ENJOYING IT MORE THAN EVER"
JAMES Feather has admitted he's enjoying his rugby more than ever before and hailed the new era that is beginning at Keighley Cougars.
The 34-year-old veteran, affectionately known as 'Buster', recently signed a new deal to keep him at the club until the end of the next campaign.
That means Feather will enter his 18th season with the Cougars next year.
Buster has experienced it all and is pleased to put pen to paper and extend his story at the club.
He said: "I'm enjoying rugby more this year than I have for a long time. For me it feels like they've freshened it up.
"I've played with my best friends over the years and that's good, but it's changed.
"We've brought in all the new boys, and it makes it enjoyable."
Having retired in 2017, after 15 years at Cougars, it looked as if the book had been closed on Buster's career.
But, the veteran returned to the pitch this season - a whole 13 years after his senior debut.
Feather's latest rugby league chapter also coincided with a new era or Keighley, who suffered turmoil in the off-season which led to a 12-point deduction.
The hooker admits the positive work behind-the-scenes is another reason for his renewed love for his game.
Buster said the directors make a conscious effort to speak to the players after games and that if you play well you're always rewarded.
He added: "It's the first time that the club off the field is now in front of it on the field.
"We're moving towards being a Championship club, we're not quite there on the field.
"But to be part of that again next year, I'm absolutely buzzing."
On the pitch, Buster is experiencing somewhat of an Indian Summer, playing at a level that belies his years.
Next season may bring different challenges, but the veteran hopes to still offer something on the pitch.
Buster said: "I'll take each game at a time, because you could get injured and it could be your last, but it seems to be working for me.
"Hopefully, I'll help out with the lads around me."
As an older head in a youthful group, much of the responsibility has rested on Buster to help new head coach Rhys Lovegrove along.
The momentum may swing in favour of a bigger coaching role for Feather next season and he is excited to be under the tutelage of Lovegrove.
Buster said: "Rhys is a brilliant young coach, he's really experienced in the game. I'm looking forward to learning from him.
"Hopefully we can kick off on to the winning foot. I'll be part of the playing or coaching staff.
"This year I've been making the transition over.
"At the moment I'm playing well and enjoying it, but if it comes to it and my body gives up next year then I'll just be coaching."
JOSH LYNAM'S 'COUGAR PARK ROCKS' THIS SATURDAY
The fundraising Cougar Park Rocks will take place at the club 's ground on Saturday, July 20. It is the latest event for player Josh Lynam's testimonial year.
Live bands will take to the stage between 1pm and 7pm. This will be followed by DJ sets from 8pm.
For tickets, priced £15 for full access, £10 for retro night and DJs only, under-14s free when accompanied by an adult, go to ticket-source.co.uk/josh-lynam-testimonial. Funds will go to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
