DANNY FEARON is to be captain of the new Cougar team.

The 21-year-old, formerly with Huddersfield Giants and Halifax signed on Wednesday evening and has been given a tremendous vote of confidence by coach Steve Deakin.

"He has over 20 Super League games under his belt and I think he will be one of the stand-out players of the new season," he said.

Fearon is expected to fill the hole left by martin Wood after he signed for Workington Town last week.

"I am very pleased to sign Danny because he reminds me a lot of Woody in both playing style and stature. Although he is only 20 years of age I have decided to make him captain and I'm sure he will do a superb job," Deakin said.

He is due to be the first of a string of signings brought to Cougar Park with Deakin building a team which will have the emphasis on youth.

Plans to get the club's community programme up and running also took a massive step forward this week with Keighley company, Harrison & Clough making a pledge to back the scheme.

"It has been one of our priorities and the company have given the programme superb backing. I will be speaking to Jason Ramshaw as soon as he returns from holiday and we hope to get the programme up and running as soon as possible -- but we still need more people to come on board," said club chairman Neil Spencer.

He also revealed that difficulties with the Cougar lottery had been resolved and money from the scheme would be going to the club.

"The problems have been resolved and we are going forward. There is a big jackpot waiting to be won and that will be carried forward," Mr Spencer said.

The first pre-season match is to be against Huddersfield Giants on November 16, with a 7.30 kick off and fans will get a chance to meet the players at a social evening on Friday, November 9.

n The Keighley Independent Supporters Association is to hold a meeting at the Victoria Hotel next Thursday at 7.45.

"Plans for the association started before the recent problems at the club and everyone is invited to attend," said Graham Jarman.

n Former Cougar coach Peter Roe is expected to join Wakefield Trinity next week.

Roe, who lives in Utley, is currently with Featherstone and has also coached Barrow, Swinton and Halifax. He is keen to work with a Super League club and is expected to join Peter Fox who joined Trinity as football director earlier this week