Stalwart Phil Stephenson aims to end his career on a high at the Cougars, starting with his testimonial clash against Batley Bulldogs tomorrow.

The veteran prop has agreed to one more year with the club where he has played his entire professional career.

With Keighley currently undergoing another difficult massive period of transition, it would have been easy for Stephenson to call it a day.

But as he looks back on some dedicated service, the 33-year-old admits he didn't want it to end just yet.

"This will be my 14th season with the Cougars," he said.

"I'm getting to that age where I'm starting to think about retirement and putting a bit of time into spending with the family, which is something I've not really had chance to do over the years.

"That would be nice and so this is my last year. That's the plan.

"But I've had some really good times with Keighley.

"I've seen them go bankrupt three times and it's been a turbulent sort of time but even during the last two years when we've only managed to win five games I've always been there with a great bunch of lads and made a lot of mates.

"It's always worth doing and it's the same now. Jason Ramshaw had been through a lot of ups and downs with us but he finished off on a big high when we won the National Two Grand Final.

"It'd be great to do something like that this season too or at least reach the play-offs."

Stephenson will be one of the few remnants of last season's team when the Cougars entertain their opponents from LHF Healthplan National League One tomorrow (3pm).

Since Peter Roe took over the reigns earlier in the winter, the side has disbanded and the new chief is now looking at youth forming the basis of his squad.

"It's a new team this year and a young team so it's going to be interesting," added Stephenson.

"The team's made up of a lot of under- 21s who had a really good season last year. Fair play to Peter for having the foresight to give them a chance.

"We've absolutely no idea what will happen but it's a new era for the club."