Keighley are aiming to reignite Cougarmania through an innovative scheme that gives supporters the chance to play their part in building a title-winning team.

Squadbuilder is the brainchild of player-coach Jason Demetriou and allows fans to invest directly in the playing squad through a monthly subscription fee.

By signing up, members pledge to pay £11 a month, with £1 going to the Sue Ryder charity and the remainder spent entirely on the recruitment and retention of players.

The scheme offers a host of benefits and Demetriou insists it will be vital in making Cougars a force in the Co-operative Championships.

He said: “I believe this is the single most important introduction I have made to Keighley Cougars.

“With the help of the fans and the local people in Keighley, this membership scheme will provide me with the much-needed revenue to improve our squad and take us into the top four of the Championship next season.

“I believe we are getting back to having a club that works closely with its supporters and understands their needs.

“Rugby league in the Keighley area can be big again and with us all pulling together, Keighley Cougars can once again reignite the phenomenon that is Cougarmania.”

Squadbuilder members will receive monthly newsletters and video mail from Demetriou, keeping them updated on developments at the club.

They will also receive discounts at a host of local businesses, a signed birthday card from the whole squad, a photograph with the team and access to the VIP bar at Cougar Park.

A draw will also take place before each game at Cougar Park, giving one member the chance to enjoy a meal in the hospitality suite, along with three guests, at the following home game. By involving the supporters more actively in the running of the club, Demetriou hopes Squadbuilder can have a knock-on effect in the community.

He said: “Since coming to Keighley I have been amazed by the amount of negative press this area receives in both local and national press.

“It’s time the young people of this town had something to be proud of and Keighley Cougars have the ability, as many sports teams have done before, to influence young people in the right way and provide role models for our next generation.

“This scheme will make a huge impact, not just for Keighley Cougars but the entire Keighley area.”