KEIGHLEY Cougars have announced that second row Josh Tonks will be their new captain next season.

The 26-year-old has taken the position left vacant by James Feather, who retired after the decision to join Craig Lingard's coaching staff.

Tonks, known as 'Tonka', will be the club's first new captain in a decade.

Having joined the club last November after departing from league rivals York City Knights, he has made 20 appearances for the Cougars and scored seven tries.

Head c Lingard said: "With 'Buster' retiring we looked at a select group of players to take over the role of team captain and Josh Tonks stood out as the ideal candidate.

"As a player you need a captain that leads from the front and one that you want standing by you when the going gets tough.

"I know if I were playing and Tonka was stood next to me I'd follow him into battle any day of the week."