NEW Keighley Cougars coach Peter Roe believes the key to future success lies with the club's youngsters (writes Mike Crowther).

Supporters can expect a vastly different team to the one which struggled to third from bottom in national league two last season.

A closed season clearout has seen many of last year's senior players depart and Roe is now pinning his hopes on players from the club's youth set-up.

He said: "We've replaced a lot of players from last year who we believe were responsible for the bad results. Most of last year's under-21 team, who played in the Super League division, will be given a chance.

"They've still got to prove themselves but the only way of seeing if they can is by banging them in."

Roe has also been scouting in the local amateur leagues and will field six trialists for the opening friendly on Sunday at home to Batley Bulldogs.

The game doubles up as a testimonial for the long-serving Phil Stephenson, who is one of the few experienced players who Roe is looking towards to guide his youngsters. Matt Bramald and Carl Smith also fall into that category while new player-coach Barry Eaton, signed from Dewsbury Rams thanks to an anonymous £20,000 donation from a lifelong fan, will be a crucial figure.

Roe, who is in his third stint with the club, is under no illusions that the youngsters will find the transition easy.

He said: "It is a big step up to play in national two. It will be a slow process and there will be a huge gap in terms of experience.

"But the mission statement from the Cougars is we're giving youth a chance.

"We're making no promises on the pitch this season, but I can guarantee 100 per cent effort and players giving everything for the cause.

"We had heaps of experience last year and were paying out money we couldn't really afford and we still finished third from bottom. You might as well replicate last season with youngsters who you know will be giving their all."