About us

Since 2019, Keighley Cougars has emerged as one of the most progressive clubs in the sporting world. With visionary owners Ryan O’Neill and Kaue Garcia at the helm, the club has embraced innovation and community engagement to create a remarkable legacy. Their mission is driven by a passion for breaking down barriers and reshaping their community into one that welcomes all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

A club for everyone

One of their most remarkable achievements was organising the world’s first Pride game, where players proudly wore specially designed rainbow kits. This event not only showcased their commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion but also sent a powerful message that went beyond sport and reached a global audience.

At Cougar Park they created the first Pride-dedicated terrace, a space where fans could come together, celebrate and support their team in an environment free from prejudice. Pride flags fly around the stadium all year round, a constant reminder of the club’s dedication to a welcoming atmosphere.

Under their leadership, Keighley Cougars has organised a series of high-profile events that have pushed boundaries and promoted inclusivity. The club hosted the Cancer Awareness game against Oldham, followed by Rugby League’s inaugural Pride Event during a home fixture against the West Wales Raiders.

Supporting our community

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Keighley Cougars raised over £10,000 for the NHS and wore a special kit to thank frontline nurses, doctors and medical staff. The Cougars also donated over 6,000 items of personal protective equipment (PPE) to local nursing homes and Airedale Hospital.

Recognition

In 2019 the club was named Professional Club of the Year at the Bradford Sports Awards, and the following year was again recognised as Betfred League 1 Club of the Year.

In November 2022, Kaue Garcia was honoured to be invited to meet His Majesty King Charles III alongside other young leaders working towards positive change in the Bradford district, in recognition of Kaue and Ryan’s contributions to the LGBTQ+ community.

The Invincibles

Despite losing the 2021 preliminary final against Doncaster, the team used that setback as fuel for 2022. Keighley Cougars won promotion to the Championship by winning every game, a feat only two other teams in history had achieved.

Our heritage

Keighley Cougars have a long history in Rugby League, joining the Northern Rugby Football Union, now the Rugby Football League, in 1900 after switching codes from Rugby Union.

The club were the inaugural Second Division Champions in 1903, winning 27 of their 34 games. In 1937 the club reached the Challenge Cup Final for the first, and to date only, time, facing Widnes at Wembley. Despite a try from Reggie Lloyd, the club were defeated on the day. In 1951 Keighley reached the Yorkshire Cup Final, losing to Wakefield Trinity at Huddersfield’s old Fartown ground.

By the early 1990s things had become almost critical. In 1991 Mick O’Neil, Mike Smith and Neil Spencer joined the board and began the rebrand that inspired ‘Cougarmania’: the club became Keighley Cougars and Lawkholme Lane was renamed Cougar Park. In 1993 the Cougars won the third division, only to be denied promotion when the second and third divisions merged. In 1995, under Phil Larder and with Daryl Powell signed, the club won the Second Division Championship and beat Huddersfield at Old Trafford to add the Premiership crown.

In the summer era the Cougars have become third-tier promotion specialists: Gary Moorby led the side to the National League Two title in 2003; Barry Eaton’s side, inspired by the late Danny Jones, beat Oldham in the 2009 Championship One Play-Off Final; and Jason Demetriou’s side beat Workington in the 2011 final. In 2016 a dramatic last-minute try from Charlie Martin at Bloomfield Road saw Paul March’s side beat York City Knights to win the iPro Sport Cup in front of almost 10,000 spectators.

Off the field, the club won League One Club of the Year in both 2015 and 2019. The 2015 award recognised the way the club pulled together following the tragic loss of Danny Jones in a fixture against London Skolars.