FORMER Bradford Bulls centre and New Zealand international Jake Webster spent the final few seasons of his playing career with Keighley Cougars.

But having finally hung up his boots for good last year, he had no intention of leaving BD21, and is proving to be a popular choice as Cougars’ current director of rugby.

Keighley have done a sit-down interview with the 40-year-old after their return to pre-season, with the club looking to bounce back from their agonising relegation from the Betfred Championship on the final day of the 2023 campaign.

Key players in Josh Lynam, Charlie Graham, Dan Parker, Ben Stead, Mark Ioane and Junior Sa’u, the latter two particularly stand out players for League 1, have all stayed put.

Webster said: “It’s quite important to retain a certain amount of players.

“The likes of Lyny, Charlie, DP and Stead were a part of the good culture we had here a few years ago and we wanted to get that back.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Charlie Graham tore up League 1 the last time he was in it.Charlie Graham tore up League 1 the last time he was in it. (Image: JT Sports Media.)

“They were quite important to keep, as were Mark and Junior.

“They were real statements of intent from the club, that we’re not resting on our laurels, we don’t want to be in this league and we’re fighting to get out of it.

“To top it off we’ve brought Mr (Jack) Miller back. He was a big part of our culture and we missed him, so to have him back now, fighting fit, and to prove a point, is going to be nothing but positive for us.

“I personally didn’t want him to leave in the first place, but I’d never have stood in his way.

“But having him back is a big part of bringing this team back together, to bring the enjoyment and the fans back.

“Jack’s such a character and I’m looking forward to seeing what he brings to the group again.”

The unpopular sale of Miller to Newcastle Thunder in February was the first major sign of discontent at Cougar Park, with things going even further downhill for the club as they year went on, with star players leaving left, right and centre.

Webster reflected: “It was a rollercoaster last year. For me, starting on the coaching staff, then taking a more senior role as director of rugby, having to understand that was totally new for me.

“But I knew what was required and to have someone like (chief operating officer) Steve Watkinson to take that journey with me and develop our knowledge together was good.

“Last year, I think we were probably promised the world and got given an atlas.

“We’ve learnt now that it’s not about how much you spend, it’s about the type of people you get in.

“Last year wasn’t our year, the boys just didn’t gel as we expected.

“I can’t knock their effort, but it just wasn’t falling our way.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Luke Gale was a marquee signing for Keighley but he left just a few months after joining.Luke Gale was a marquee signing for Keighley but he left just a few months after joining. (Image: JT Sports Media.)

Webster was honest, saying: “The goal this year is to bring Keighley back to where we were a few years ago.

“I think we lost that last year. We got caught up in the hype of going undefeated the season before and expecting to do better again in the Championship, instead of being realistic.

“I think we’re now realistic about where we sit, where we want to be in the next few years.

“It’s a process now, and we’ve got to tick the boxes we need to, on and off the field.

“Our main goal for the 2024 squad was to not just sign a player, but to sign a person, and I think we’ve done that.”

With only eight teams currently locked in for the 2024 League 1 season, Cougars, along with Hunslet, pushed hard for a merger between the second and third tier, only for the idea to be shut down by the RFL.

Webster said: “I felt a merger was the best way to keep the game entertaining.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Newcastle (blue and yellow) went down alongside Keighley and subsequently announced they would have to fold, but they are now hoping to get the finances in place to be the ninth League 1 team for 2024.Newcastle (blue and yellow) went down alongside Keighley and subsequently announced they would have to fold, but they are now hoping to get the finances in place to be the ninth League 1 team for 2024. (Image: JT Sports Media.)

“Something needs to happen I believe, because I’m not saying League 1’s a dead league, but it needs a revamp in some way.

“The coming years will tell, IMG have got their plans, so we’ve just got to buy into those.

“I think we are doing that, we’re doing the best we can, and hopefully that’ll stand us in good stead for years to come.”