Keighley Cougars were given a Civic Reception to mark last Sunday's
Co-operative Championship One Grand Final win over Oldham by Keighley
Town Council at the Town Hall last night (Wednesday).

A party of players, officials and directors went on an open top bus tour
of town centre thanks to Councillor Graham Mitchell from Keighley Bus
Museum who provided the vehicle and the celebratory trip ended when they
were met by hundreds of Cougar fans at the Town Hall at Bow Street.

Greeting them at the door of the Town Hall was the Mayor of Keighley,
Cllr. Margaret Ward.

Cougars Head Coach Barry Eaton and club captain James 'Buster' Feather
handed over the Co-operative Championship One Grand Final trophy to the
Mayor and that, together with a cake specially baked by J Wilds of
Steeton, formed the centre piece of a champagne reception for the team
in the Council Chamber.

At the reception Cllr. Ward congratulated the team on their achievement
and said that the town was very proud of the Cougars.

Speaking in reply Mr Neil Spencer, the chairman of Keighley Cougars,
thanked Keighley Town Council for the reception and Cllr. Mitchell for
the loan of his bus. He added: "With the support of the townsfolk I'm
sure we have a chance of surviving in the Championship next year".

Helen Carter, the Cougars General Manager, said: "It is really pleasing
that the Town Council has recognised what the club has achieved.

"We're working hard with the Town Council, Bradford Metropolitan
District Council and Incommunities - the area's biggest social landlord
- within our community as well as fostering the development of our sport
within Airedale, Wharfedale and North Yorkshire".