GARY MOORBY is a man on a mission -- a mission to restore pride in his home town rugby league club.

After joining the Cougars as head coach this week he is determined to put some steel into the team which was beaten 66-0 by Huddersfield Giants on New Year's Day, and aims to win back the support of the club's army of fans.

"In the glory days of Cougarmania, just a few years ago, Keighley were getting crowds which matched some of the top clubs in the game. The Keighley supporters are there, we just have to give them something to celebrate again," Gary said.

But he warned that no one could expect a quick fix.

"I don't have a magic wand, and the club doesn't have a lot of money to throw around so we have to build slowly and steadily."

Gary, who is married to Sharon, has three daughters Pamela (18), Demi (7) and Leah (2), and is employed by social services working with teenagers.

Cut him open and Gary has Keighley written right through him.

He began playing sport on the playing fields of St Josephs and Holy Family schools and his love of rugby started with the town's rugby union club. He joined Keighley RFL as a 19-year-old in 1978-79 and in 1980-81 was snapped up by St Helens for £37,000 which at the time was a record transfer fee for both Keighley and Saints.

In 1983-84 he moved to Leeds in a swap deal and enjoyed his most successful period at the top of the game.

He won a John Player Trophy medal and later returned to Keighley for the final three seasons of his playing career.

He has coached alongside Peter Roe at Featherstone and more recently with Steven Lannane at Super League side Halifax Blue Sox.

"Peter Roe took over at Keighley when the club was at a low ebb and took the club forward, winning their first trophy in years.

"If I can follow in his footsteps we will be heading in the right direction," Gary said.

Paul Moses will be his right hand man as they rebuild a double-act which has worked well over the years.

"We were at school together, but Paul is four years younger than me, and we have played together and against each other. We have also coached together at Keighley Albion so I know we will work well,

"Now we want the Keighley public to back us as we rebuild a real local community club.

"One thing is for certain if things don't work out it won't be for the wont of trying.

"I'm a local lad, I've always lived here and it has always been my ambition to come back and coach Keighley to success," he said.