Retiring Phil Stephenson reckons he's left Cougars in safe hands.

The stalwart prop hung up his boots following the club's last match of the season against London Skolars on Sunday.

After 15 years and an astonishing 343 games, battle-hardened Stephenson has a host of memories to recollect as he contemplates finally putting his feet up.

And he will do so knowing the club he dedicated his entire career to is heading in the right direction.

Keighley may only have won four games in another difficult year but Stephenson has seen at first hand the potential Peter Roe's squad has to offer.

He has been as influential as ever this term and not just because of his trademark busts up the middle and unstinting graft.

The 34-year-old's experience and professionalism has been vital in a squad where he must have felt like a child minder given the youthfulness of his team-mates.

But Stephenson said: "I'm glad I did this last season. I feel privileged to have been a part of the side that's going to be the future of Keighley.

"These young lads are going to be here for years and I've made some great mates.

"Every time I go down there in the next ten years there'll be players who I used to play with and certainly over the next two or three seasons they will grow.

"They will have learned a lot from this season and they'll carry on next, while they will be a really good side for years to come if we can keep them all down at Keighley."

The likes of young guns such as James Feather, Chris Clough and Tom Palmer have picked up plenty operating alongside their pack leader and Stephenson added: "It's been a great time, as has my whole career at Keighley.

"Even over these last few seasons when we've not been getting the results, I've had good times down there.

"Winning the Grand Final in 2003 was absolutely fantastic and I'll never forget that rainy night at home to Batley when we won the title in 1993."

That shows the longevity of Stephenson who featured in the LHF Healthplan National League Two showpiece three years ago - a decade after starring in the classic Easter showdown that secured the old Division Three championship.

He was also part of the squad that controversially missed out on Super League in 1995 despite having earned promotion.

"That's been my big regret but there's nothing you can do about that," Stephenson added.

"It was out of our hands and I don't tend to focus on what might have been. I've never been one for that. I'm one who just gets on with it and I've had a great career.

"I am ready for a rest now but I know I will miss it when it all gets started again.

"I'll miss that battle with your opposite number week in week out and the competitiveness of it all."

Stephenson captained the side against London at the weekend when his three children were mascots and received a standing ovation while being chaired around Cougar Park at the end.

"It was an absolutely brilliant send-off and I couldn't have asked for anything more," he said.

"It was quite emotional. I've made a lot of good friends from the backroom staff to the supporters and I'd like to thank everyone who has been involved."