Keighley Cougars have appointed iconic former player Matt Foster as their new head coach.

After Rhys Lovegrove was removed from his post in April, interim boss Jy-mel Coleman has struggled to get a tune out of his side.

With injuries mounting, players leaving and results getting worse, Keighley have gone from mid-table Betfred Championship security, and an outside chance of the play-offs, to just a point above the relegation zone.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: This disappointing defeat at home to Swinton last month was one of several that have pushed Cougars towards the trapdoor.This disappointing defeat at home to Swinton last month was one of several that have pushed Cougars towards the trapdoor. (Image: JT Sports Media.)

Coleman has now stepped aside to be replaced by Foster, who spent 11 of his 13 professional seasons at Cougars during the nineties and noughties, and was a consistent force for the club as a centre/full back.

He still sits third in the Cougars’ all-time try scorers list with a total of 124 in 208 games.

Foster now returns to take charge of the club, after spending the last 10 years as coach at Burleigh Bears.

In his time there, he worked with the Queensland Cup first ream and A Grade, securing six Grand Final appearances, with three wins for the latter.

Discussing his desire to return to Keighley, Foster said “This all happened within 36 hours or so.

“I’ve been following Keighley this season from the Gold Coast and when the phone call came through last week, it was a fairly quick and easy decision for me to make.”

He added: “I am looking forward to meeting the players and understanding their strengths and weaknesses as well as reintroducing myself to the fans.

“I left in 2007 and I still see the hardened followers on social media and I am just looking forward to getting my hands dirty and getting straight in with the boys to create a positive end to the season.

“The opportunity to coach at Keighley is something I dreamed of 15 years ago when I left for Australia.

“These opportunities don’t come around very often and I am happy to be on board with the team.”

Foster arrived in the country yesterday morning and will take charge for this weekend’s fixture against the Widnes Vikings, who won 31-14 at home to Bradford Bulls last night.

Cougars CEO Ryan O’Neill said: “Firstly, I just want to thank Jy-mel for stepping in to cover the interim head coach role.

“Jy-mel has handled himself professionally and in the toughest of circumstances has done the job we asked him to do and for that the club will be ever grateful.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: it was a difficult spell in interim charge for Jy-mel Coleman.it was a difficult spell in interim charge for Jy-mel Coleman. (Image: JT Sports Media.)

“Our search for a permanent head coach has come to a conclusion and I look forward to welcoming Matt back to Cougar Park.”

With Coleman stepping aside with the club’s best wishes, current skills coach Dean Muir steps up to a full-time role alongside current assistant coach Jordie Hedges with immediate effect.

In a further update to the backroom staff, club legend James Feather, who joined the coaching staff voluntarily earlier this year, has left his role.

This is due to his full-time job taking up much of his spare family time.

Feather also leaves with the club’s sincere thanks for stepping in as an extra pair of hands when needed.