Keighley Cougars have pledged to find a top-class replacement for departing managing director Abi Ekoku.

The club were sent reeling over the weekend when the former commonwealth games athlete confirmed he was on his way back to Odsal as chief executive.

A club statement reads: "The club are actively seeking a high- profile replacement for this most important managerial position to help build-on the excellent start that the coaching staff and team have provided."

The club also reiterated their disappointment at Ekoku's decision to leave Cougar Park after just ten weeks in the job.

"The club are extremely surprised and disappointed with his decision as everybody believed that Abi had whole-heartedly committed himself to the Cougars until at least September, 2000.

"Despite exhaustive efforts to retain his services, Abi has maintained his position and is determined to leave," the statement continued.

On hearing the news, Cougars chairman Bob Chapman had said: "I have to ask would the Bulls have been interested had we not given him the chance with us?"

But Bulls chairman Chris Caisley retorted: "I don't see that point at all. We knew all about Abi already as he spent far more time with us that he did at Keighley."

Bulls' current chief executive Gary Tasker is due to leave Odsal at the end of the week to take up his new role as Community Development Officer with Super League.

But it could be the middle of next month before Ekoku moves in as his replacement.

"We would obviously like him to start as soon as possible, but I also fully understand he has a commitment with Keighley to honour," added Caisley.

Meanwhile, two former Odsal players will begin new careers with Workington in the Northern Ford Premiership.

Goal-kicking winger Paul Cook has made the move from Hunslet, while Kiwi Dave Watson moves from Huddersfield-Sheffield Giants to Derwent Park, where he will also assist on the coaching staff.

Giants head coach John Kear said: "I didn't want to stand in David's way when the idea of a move to Workington was first aired. It gives him a chance to get into coaching and build a long-term career."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.