STEVE DEAKIN delivered a festive body blow to the Cougars when he resigned from the club as the team prepared for the Christmas and New Year programme.

He called the players together before training last Thursday to tell them he was heading south - to join London Broncos as their assistant coach.

Speaking to KN Sport he said the decision to move was 'painful' but he was made an offer he could not refuse.

Deakin, who first joined Cougars in September 1999, was approached by the London club the previous Tuesday, had a contract faxed to him the following day and within hours it has been signed and returned.

He broke the news to Keighley chairman Neil Spencer and was determined his players should be the next to know.

"I rang Neil and said I was going to take it

"It all happened very quickly and although it was a painful decision, it was one I had to make. The chance of returning to full time coaching - and with a Super League club - was just too good to miss," Deakin said.

One reason for the need to make a quick decision was that he is to travel out to Australia with the Broncos on Sunday for an extended period of pre-season training.

He will be swapping the rain and snow of Keighley for the sun-drenched training grounds of Gosford, north of Sydney. Temperatures at the NorthPower Stadium where Broncos will play a pre-season game against Australian side Canberra Raiders were over 100F this week.

"It will certainly be a change, and I can't wait to get to work with the top players London Broncos have in their squad - but make no mistake I will miss Keighley," Deakin said.

He had planned to say his farewells during the club's Boxing Day clash with Gateshead Thunder, but heavy frost caused the game to be cancelled.

"I was looking forward to meeting everyone and particularly wanted to tell the fans and sponsors how much they mean to me. I will be visiting the ground as soon as I can when I return from Australia," Deakin said.

Assistant coach Paul Moses and Allan Boothroyd took over the coaching role as soon as Deakin announced that he was to leave.

They were preparing the team for the cancelled Boxing Day game and are now getting them ready for the visit to Huddersfield Giants on New Year's Day.

Jason Ramshaw was due to miss the Gateshead game with an injured shoulder, but he should be back in the squad for Tuesday's game.

Neil Spencer said: "Losing Deaks is a major blow, but he was made an offer we could not match and everyone at the club wishes him well in the future.

"Paul Moses and Allan Boothroyd have worked closely with Steve and will take over the coaching at the moment. We have a good squad of players in place and this is not a time to panic.

"We will be taking a careful look at the coaching situation over the next few weeks before making a decision."