Former Keighley Cougars chairman Carl Metcalfe has accepted an apology from the author of a book about the club and has called off legal action.

Mr Metcalfe had threatened to sue Brian Lund over drugs-related comments made in 'Daring to Dream - the story of the Keighley Cougars'. He told the Keighley News that he thought what had been written about him was a 'bit near the knuckle'.

"It appeared as if the author was trying to have a go when everything had been sorted out," says Mr Metcalfe, who resigned as club chairman in September last year saying he had taken the club as far as he could. He also revealed that death threats had been made against him and a £75,000 ransom demand made after someone threatened to plant heroin at his home and business premises.

He says: "The newspapers had already quoted me and the press were good enough to print my side of the story."

The comments made in the book centred around Mr Metcalfe and his business interests. Mr Metcalfe also says that Mr Lund was aware of all this before the book had been printed.

He adds: "If it had not been for me, there would not be a Keighley Cougars. I stuck it out and got them into a position where they could be administered.

"Our aim was to get the team to the highest league position possible and the team and all the staff did a fantastic job. The Cougars are now on a firm foundation and must be better off than any other rugby league club.

"Okay, so we did not win any trophies in my time but the club is still going and that is my trophy. It is nice to know that my grandchildren will be able to say I saved the Keighley Cougars.

"I can now go to Cougar Park and relax and know I am not going to have to pay £25,000 a week to watch games."

In a letter to the Keighley News Mr Lund says: "With reference to my recently published book I wish to make it clear that no implication was intended that Carl Metcalfe, chairman of the club in 1996-97, was involved in any way with illegal drugs."

Mr Lund says that Mr Metcalfe had contacted him to say he had been 'very unhappy with what had been written'.

He adds: "I told Mr Metcalfe that if I had upset him then I would be prepared to write a letter to the Keighley News and ask if they would publish it.

"He said if I did that he would be happy to let the matter drop.

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