OWNER Hami Patel and Cougars officials will have talks next week with Brad-ford's chief executive Ian Stewart on resolving the club's cash crisis.

The council chief will be told: 'It's crunch time ..you put millions into Bradford Bulls, can we have some please?'

Cougars, who have also appealed to Keighley's parliamentary candidates Ann Cryer and Simon Cooke, need £200,000 to see them through the season.

Club captain Jason Ram-shaw is also calling on the council to back Cougars before it is too late.

Says Ramshaw: "Our club has played a crucial role in this town for more than 100 years and I have been proud to play my part in its success since 1992.

"Over that period I have witnessed first hand the effect the club has had on the lives of both its supporters and a great many more people in Keighley.

The public of Keighley deserve the Cougars and not to be forced into travelling out of the area to watch professional rugby league because the town no longer has a team.

"Experiences such as the championship-winning years of 1993 and 1995 are woven into the history of the town and it would be a tragedy if Keighley no longer had a professional team to represent them.

"Since the early 90s the club had pioneered a community programme with Bradford council providing us with a donation towards costs. However the club and sponsors have to make up the difference which amounts to over £55,000 per year.

"Over the past decade the club has invested in excess of half-a-million pounds into this programme and I believe this demonstrates the commitment this club has to the local community.

"I would hope the town and the local authority recognised the value of this club and offer assistance now before it is too late," he says.

l Tickets for the Trans-Pennine cup game at Cou-gar Park on Wednesday, May 30 go on sale next Wednesday. Freddy Cougar and the players will be selling tickets in the town centre on Saturday, May 26.

l Fans demand fairness

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