Keighley Cougars will work within a strict financial budget as the club looks to put 15 months of financial uncertainty behind it, according to coach John Kain.

Chairman Howard Carter officially announced yesterday that the board had been handed back control by administrator Peter O'Hara after the intervention of backer Hami Patel.

Carter also revealed that the Leeds financier has plans to develop Cougar Park in the future as the club look to revive their fortunes after one of the most traumatic periods in their history.

The Keighley chief thanked Patel, who could not be at the press conference due to business dealings, before saying: "He sees it as a commercial venture and would like to develop the corporate side and the facilities. But there are no specific plans regarding investment at the moment."

At the start of this month Cougars had only one senior player contracted to the club, captain Jason Ramshaw, but Kain has enjoyed one of the busiest periods since taking charge in July last year.

Five players have re-signed for Cougars from Leeds with another six joining the club along with the retention of all but three of the squad which finished last season's Premiership competition.

The Keighley coach said: "With all the uncertainty surrounding the club until Hami became involved it has been difficult. We have assembled a good squad but I am not going to go and shout my mouth off about our prospects as it will be a very even division this season.

"We are a very youthful outfit but with the experience of players like Jason, Chris Robinson and Simon Irving to guide them.

"If we can't agree deals within our budget then they won't be done at all. All the players are part-time apart from Jason, Simon and Matt who are involved in the community and commercial work."

Along with the five players returning from Leeds - Foster, Irving, Robinson, Rob Roberts and Dave Larder - Cougars have also signed Perth Western Reds' highly-rated Brock McDonald, Darren Summerhill of Sheffield Eagles and Danny Guest, who left the defunct Oldham Bears.

Kain has also secured York pair, second rower Dave Smith and centre Pete Walsh, along with local lad Wayne Smith, who has represented BARLA's Yorkshire side. Cougars are also believed to be chasing an exciting young prospect from Welsh rugby union.

And as part of the club's development, Cougars will run both Alliance and Academy sides this season - a decision which has delighted Kain.

"The response I have had from the players has been tremendous. We only brought them back for training when we knew the future was going to be secure but they have kept themselves in great condition."

Asked whether the legal action taken out against the Rugby Football League in the wake of their threat to expel the club last month was still on-going, chairman Howard Carter said: "I hope we can move forward in a much more amicable way."

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