Former Keighley Cougars chairman Neil Spencer has been forced to step down from the club's board.

Spencer, along with fellow former director Colin Farrar, are no longer allowed to be involved in the running of the club after failing the RFL's 'fit and proper person' test.

Both were directors when the club entered administration in December and their non-involvement was a condition of Cougars' acceptance into this year's Co-operative Championship.

A new company and new board of directors, headed by local businessman Gary Fawcett, have been set up to run the club and Keighley will start the new season with a nine-point deduction.

But Spencer and Farrar will not completely end any involvement with the club and both have accepted offers of honorary life membership from the new board.

Chairman Fawcett said: "The club recognizes that Neil and Colin supported the club significantly through times of hardship.

"We are pleased that they've accepted the honorary life membership and we look forward to seeing them at the club over, what promises to be, a very exciting future.

"It is unfortunate that we had to put the club into administration late last year. We were left with no choice in matter but life is not about dwelling on problems.

"Life is about how you deal with those problems and how you grow and develop. The club is very determined to put its mark on rugby league in the years to come.

"This year will be difficult on the field due to the points deduction but I am sure our players and coach will respond to adversity and perform in a way that will make them proud and the fans proud."