KEIGHLEY Cougars’ controversial decision to sack Matt Foster last night came as a huge surprise, and an extraordinary club statement explaining the decision has made waves throughout rugby league.

Many on social media questioned the wisdom of dismissing Foster, who had been in charge for just under a year, given Keighley are currently top of Betfred League 1 with 11 wins and a draw from their opening 13 league games.

Foster is also something of a club legend at Cougars, spending 11 seasons there as a player, where he scored 124 tries in 208 games.

But Cougars felt the flak they had received for the decision to sack Foster, whether that be for director of rugby Jake Webster, chief operating officer Steve Watkinson, owner Ryan O’Neill and managing director Kaue Garcia was unjust.

Cougars duo Steve Watkinson and Jake Webster, pictured after the latter's testimonial against Castleford in January, have been praised for their hard work by the club's owners.Cougars duo Steve Watkinson and Jake Webster, pictured after the latter's testimonial against Castleford in January, have been praised for their hard work by the club's owners. (Image: JT Sports Media.)

That meant around three hours after their initial announcement confirming the dismissal of Foster, they released a second, harder-hitting, statement, authored by married couple O’Neill and Garcia themselves.

In it, they talk in-depth about alleged unrest behind the scenes, especially between Webster and Foster, and that it was causing division and tension at the club.

Cougars backed Webster throughout the statement, and were highly critical of those attacking him for the decision to part ways with Foster, stating: “This man has been the best thing to happen to Keighley Cougars for decades.

“He works 14-hour days and makes things happen that no-one else involved in this club could.”

They defended Watkinson too, saying: “Steve is essentially CEO of the club.

“He has brought in sponsors, professionalised all our operations, and is a support to every off-field staff. He deserves thanks for what he does, not abuse.”

As for O’Neill and Garcia themselves, they said: “We will not tolerate homophobia against us – which has come from our own fans today, which we have never had before.

Married couple Ryan O'Neill and Kaue Garcia (centre) say they have been hurt by homophobic comments made after the decision to sack Matt Foster.Married couple Ryan O'Neill and Kaue Garcia (centre) say they have been hurt by homophobic comments made after the decision to sack Matt Foster. (Image: JT Sports Media.)

“We have given blood, sweat, tears and money to this club. We do what we do to give this town a club that aims to be the best. If this is how you feel about us, then we are done.”

O’Neill and Garcia also added: “Regarding people’s threats to boycott the club, if you believe one man (Foster) is bigger than the club, then this club is in jeopardy.

“You either back this club 100 per cent like we do, or you can walk away, and eventually everything is lost.”

Cougars also used the statement to criticise former head coach Rhys Lovegrove, with the decision to sack him last May, while the club were in mid-table of the Championship, largely unpopular.

They insisted that there were problems behind the scenes back then, but that they protected Lovegrove by not revealing that information publicly.

The T&A/Keighley News have contacted both Foster and Lovegrove this morning, giving the pair a right of reply to the club’s claims against them.