COUGAR stars of yesteryear will be turning out in force to launch the club's year-long Rugby League Centenary celebrations on Sunday.

It is exactly 100 years today -- April 14 -- since Keighley joined the breakaway Northern Union. The competition was launched by clubs in the north of England who were penalised by Rugby Union authorities when they reimbursed players who had to take Saturday mornings off work to play.

Sunday's game will start with an all-star parade of former heroes.

Former Keighley and Great Britain prop forward Geoff Croodson will join former team-mates past and present at Cougar Park to kick off the year-long series of events.

Also attending will be 1950's hero Joe Flanagan, Hall of Famers Brian Jefferson and Terry Hollindrake along with Jason Critchley, Andy Eyres and 1930's star Len Orchard.

"We hope to have over 20 of the club's greats back for this special occasion and expect a bumper crowd to give the day a real party atmosphere.

"We want as many fans as possible to turn up in Victoria fancy dress, and there will also be a brass band to welcome the teams onto the field," said managing director, Peter Roe.

There will also to be a Girls Under-16 county match, Yorkshire v Lancashire, kicking off at 12.30pm with Cullingworth schoolgirl Christina Whitaker in the squad.

After the main match the celebrations will continue with a disco and 'Cougar Bitter,' specially brewed by the Goose Eye brewery, will be on sale at 50p a pint.

Coach Karl Harrison was delighted after his team set up the Centenary celebrations with a great win against Widnes -- with Martin Wood crossing twice to complete a century of tries for the club.

"The Vikings have a big experienced pack, but we had to win the forward battle to build the platform for victory. We won through inthe end and that helped Martin Wood to orchestrate our attack.

"Danny Seal was superb, a couple of the guys had off days and that is to be expected from time to time.

"But Nathan Antonik showed real commitment. He was very doubtful right up to kick-off with a stomach virus, and had been up all the previous night. He told me he wanted to play and that shows the players in this team are determined to give everything.

"Once out it's not easy to get back in. Jason Ramshaw is banging on the door, he's been man of the match for the Allianace team, but right now I have to keep faith with the current line-up."

After a solid week training this side is determined to add another victory over Barrow Border Raiders, but the Cumbrian side is has a powerful pack land some star performers.

Darren Holt is a quality half-back and Rod Maybon, played with Canberra Raiders, where he was taking on the best in the world week after week.

"We will have to be at our best to bet them," he said.

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