IT was a sorry state of affairs down at Cougar Park in 2025 after Keighley Cougars narrowly missed out on promotion to the Championship back in 2024.
With just six wins from 18 games, Keighley ended up the regular League One season second bottom, only avoiding the wooden spoon by the struggles of Newcastle Thunder.
Former Castleford and Hull KR favourite Jake Webster had started the 2025 campaign in charge before his assistant Jordie Hedges took interim charge as ex-Swinton boss Alan Kilshaw eventually took over the reins as head coach in late March.
A year of upheaval had been reflected on the field and Webster, in his new role as community director, left the club in August alongside chief operating officer, Steve Watkinson.
And this year may not be any different, with Kilshaw leaving the club less than two weeks before the season begins and Danny Burton placed in interim charge.
New signings for 2026 include the likes of Dylan Proud (Leeds), Max Clarke (Workington), Leo Skerrett-Evans (Castleford), Alfie Dean (Batley) and Waldimar Matahwa (Bradford), but the Cougars may well struggle again next season, particularly with the exits of stalwarts such as Adam Ryder, Lewis Hatton and Junior Sa’u.
One to watch
In what will be a tough season for Keighley, new outside back recruit Waldimar Matahwa may offer some hope for the Cougars.
Matahwa featured once for Cornwall in the 2024 season and has also featured for Castleford Tigers and Bradford Bulls reserves sides.
A Leeds Beckett student, Matahwa has also been selected for the England Universities side, and this will be his best opportunity to show he can make the step up to the next level.
Squad: 1 Connor Sayner, 2 Brad Holroyd, 3 Max Clarke, 4 Junior Nuu, 5 Dylan Proud, 6 Izaac Farrell, 7 Matty Beharrell, 8 Dan Parker, 9 Oli Burton, 10 Jack Teanby, 12 Lachlan Lanksey, 13 Aaron Brown, 14 George Flanagan, 16 Leo Aliyu, 17 Jordan Schofield, 18 Oliver Whitford, 19 David Foggin-Johnston, 20 Leo Skerrett-Evans, 21 Alfie Dean, 22 Waldimar Matahwa, 23 Brandon Pickersgill, 24 Ben Dean, 25 Will McCardle, 26 Nathan Rushworth, – Lucas Green
Ins: Dylan Proud (Leeds), Max Clarke (Workington), Leo Skerrett-Evans (Castleford), Alfie Dean (Batley), Waldimar Matahwa (Bradford), David Foggin-Johnston (unattached), Nathan Rushworth (Magpies Mackay), Lucas Green (Warrington)
Outs: Adam Ryder (retired), Junior Sa’u (Rochdale), Lewis Hatton (Rochdale), Harry Bowes (Sheffield), Andy Gabriel, Max Lambourne (both released), Bobby Hartley (London), Brad England (North Wales), Mark Ioane (North Wales)