Keighley Cougars chairman Neil Spencer is urging backers to support the club in their attempt to buy the former Total Petrol station on Hardings Road.

The premises are now used as a second-hand car lot but also doubles as the club's town-side entrance with six turnstiles in place.

As future use of the premises cannot be guaranteed the Cougars could have their ground capacity slashed.

Spencer explained: "Our current ground certificate allows us a crowd capacity of 7,800. As it stands that's acceptable for us to meet Super League criteria but the loss of the car showroom entrance would reduce our capacity below 6,000. It has always been the club's intention to try to obtain ownership of the premises.

"We tried once before but were beaten to the punch. Now the lot is up for sale again and this time we need to make sure.

"We see Cougar Park as the future of professional sport in Keighley, not just rugby league but potentially with soccer as well. Silsden moving in this season has tremendous potential and their friendly against Burnley this afternoon proves that.

"We need somebody to help us as a benefactor but we also need support from the local authority too if they want to see professional sport in Keighley."

Spencer has also been under some criticism recently as the team's results have been disappointing this year and he is keen to face his critics.

"Colin Farrar and myself have been getting some criticism lately, mainly because we are at the bottom of National League One. However, the club's financial future is secure for the first time in years and we have no overdraft, are up to date with the wages and contracts.

"We have introduced under- 18s and under-21s to develop the young players in the district and have increased the number of staff working in the schools and the community both around Keighley and now also into North Yorkshire."

For the match at Featherstone tomorrow, the Cougars have a doubt over prop Danny Ekis, while Carl Smith is having a run out with the under-21s to test a knee problem.

Under-pressure coach Gary Moorby remains buoyant about Keighley's plight and says they will "keep going to the bitter end''.

He said: "We are just lacking someone with that extra vision to pull us through. The effort is there from the players but we need that little bit of luck to come out way and change things round.''

New signing Matt Bramald returns to one of his old clubs.