EVEN before the present marathon rugby league season has ended, Cougars are busy preparing for 2003 - and predict that good times are just around the corner.

"This time last year the Cougars did not exist, there were no players, no coach - no club. We knew the first year was going to be hard going, but we have survived and are on a sound financial footing," said chairman Neil Spencer.

Tonight (Friday) they are to hold a 'Fans Forum' meeting at the club at 8pm to outline their plans for the future.

A group of businessmen have got together to form a 'Team Development Fund' and they will also be explaining why they are throwing their expertise behind the club.

"Because the first team hasn't been winning all the time some people think it has not been a success, but tremendous progress has been made. We have launched the Academy team and the Scholarship scheme for young players, and the first team has made real progress," Mr Spencer said.

Coach Gary Moorby is confident the club is heading in the right direction: "This season was always going to be about survival and we have achieved that. The club will finish the season in the black financially, and although there have been disappointments there have also been some very positive performances on the field.

"I believe we have the nucleus of a very good side, but we must remember that most of the team have played more Academy or Alliance football than with a senior side - and there is a big difference. I am confident they have gained tremendously from their experience this season, which will set them up for next year.

"We will be looking to add to the first team squad over the winter and the need to add experience is high on the agenda, but it has to be at a realistic and fair price. There is no way we will spend cash that is not there and allow the club to go under once again.

"When Paul Moses and I took the coaching job we were under no illusions about the situation the club was in, and we set out with a three year plan. We are now almost through the first year and next season will be one of consolidation on the work which had been put in which will see increased success.

"The third season will see home-grown players coming through from the development ranks, and hopefully we will be genuinely challenging at the top end of the league once again."

Over the years the district has been producing talented players, including three in the Super League, Richard Moore at Bradford Bulls, together with Chris Feather and Tommy Haughey at Wakefield. Other players in the professional game include Karl Smith and Stuart Calvert at Cougars, plus Andy Bailey and Ben Archibald at Wakefield.

"The problem has been that there has been no system in place to direct talented young players to the local professional club, which has been a downfall on the club's part. Now that we have the scholarship scheme under Jason Ramshaw and Jeremy Crowther we will be able to identify talented players at an early stage and help them develop," Gary said.

The young Academy team has rapidly grown in confidence in its first season, and several players are to be offered professional contracts next season.

Moorby added: "The plan is for Scholarship youngsters to come through the system into the Academy team, and if we can then bring them through into the senior team the future will be very exciting."

Foundry owner Mick Milner, Nigel Simpson of KADTALl and Steve Szostak of the Keighley Business Partnership have formed the Team Devlopment Fund.

"The club can really put Keighley on the map and help generate a feel-good factor throughout the town. It is much more than just a sporting club and we want to do what we can to help," Mr Milner said.