COUGARS are to hold a bumper party night to celebrate their Grand Final victory - when New Zealand A play National League 2 on Wednesday.

The international fixture was arranged long before Cougars clinched promotion to Division One, but is the ideal time to have a celebration and enjoy a superb night of rugby.

Peter Roe's NL2 squad includes seven Keighley players led by Jason Ramshaw, who will be pulling on a rugby jersey for the last time if he is in the starting line-up.

"It will give local people a real chance to thank Rammy for everything he has done for the club over the last 11 years - including helping us to that superb Grand Final victory," said Cougar coach Gary Moorby.

Others in the squad include Matt Foster, David Foster, Matty Firth, Phil Stephenson, Simeon Hoyle and Ian Sinfield. The rest of the squad is: Wayne English (Swinton Lions), Jason Roach (Swinton Lions), Mark McCully (Chorley Lynx), Chris Hough (Swinton Lions), Lee Jackson (York City Knights), Wayne Freeman (Hunslet Hawks), Jamie Beaumont (Workington Town), Rupert Jonker (London Skolars), Andy Raleigh (Sheffield Eagles), Richard Barnett (Gateshead Thunder) and Yousef Sozi (Gateshead Thunder).

Cougars are to parade the Grand Final Trophy at half time as thankyou to fans who attended the game at Widnes and supported them throughout the season. They are also to tour Keighley town centre in an open top bus next Saturday (October 25) before heading down to City Hall in Bradford for a Civic Reception with the Lord Mayor.

The club is launching its drive for the 2004 season and will have season tickets available on Wednesday evening. Prices are: Adult ground £108, OAP ground £48, Under-16 ground £24. Adult Stand £132, OAP stand £72, Under-16 stand £48. Executive £260. There will also be 10 per cent discount on tickets bought before the end of October, a passport size photo is needed for every ticket.

Season tickets will be valid for 13 home games including the Arriva Cup and with National League One including Leigh, Rochdale, Hull KR, Oldham, Whitehaven, Featherstone, Doncaster, Batley and Halifax there should be some cracking games with and a superb atmosphere. Many teams in NL2 had very few travelling supporters, but it will be a different story when the likes of Leigh, Oldham and Halifax hit town.

"It has all the makings of a fantastic season, and I think we will spring a few surprises. I have already had a number of players who want to join the club contacting me and we are drawing up a 'shopping list' but we will also be keeping the current squad together because the team spirit is just amazing," Moorby said.

The club is also planning to field both Under-18 and Under-21 Academy teams next season giving youth players a 'conveyor belt' from Under-10s right up to the first team.

"The club has never had such a solid junior structure and we will be seeing the benefits very soon.

"We have shown what we can do with very limited resources and now we want local businesses to join a winning team. we are not talking telephone numbers but if several companies put in a little it will all add up.

"There is also a player development fund where individuals can contribute as little as £5 a week, every little bit will help us build on this year's success," Gary Moorby said.

The club is also planning a sponsors evening when existing and potential sponsors will be invited to the ground to discuss plans for the future with the board of directors and the coaching staff.

"There are a lot of successful people in the town, we would like them to share their expertise and business ideas with us. Hopefully they will listen to what we are trying to achieve and decide they can help us," Moorby said.

Further details are available from the club on 01535-213111.