JAMES Feather admits the opportunity to become reunited with former Cougars boss Barry Eaton and play in the Championship was simply too good to turn down.

The long-serving captain has quit his hometown club less than a month after verbally agreeing a new deal to stay at Cougar Park.

He is joining Eaton’s newly-promoted Championship outfit Hunslet Hawks, with Cougars player-coach Paul March’s twin brother David moving in the opposite direction.

Feather is a hugely popular figure with supporters and celebrated his testimonial last year after a decade of service with the club.

He was expected to see out his playing career with Cougars and had also spoken about the prospect of coaching the club he grew up supporting.

But the 30-year-old hooker admitted he had not enjoyed his rugby for “the past twelve to eighteen months” and that the time was right to move on.

The man known as Buster, who has spent his entire career at Cougar Park, said: “I’m 30 now and I might not get another opportunity in this division if I stayed at Keighley.

“Barry really wanted me at Hunslet, so I had a holiday to think about it and it made sense to make the move.

“I picked up a bad injury last year, which kept me out for twelve weeks, and as my body is getting a bit older, I might not get another shot.

“Obviously I want to test myself against the best possible and it’s just a shame I can’t do that at Keighley.

“Cougars recently asked me what kind of deal I was prepared to sign and I was prepared to sign a two-year deal that took me up to retirement if I had stayed.

“But if I’m truthfully honest, I haven’t been happy at Keighley for a year.

“Some people might have seen that on the field because I’ve just not been enjoying my rugby.

“The rugby at the club hasn’t been the same for probably the past twelve to eighteen months, so I’ve struggled to really hit the potential that I know I’m capable of.

“But I know that Barry gets the best out of me because he’s had me here at Keighley for five years previously.

“I wanted a new challenge and going to Hunslet with Barry was a no-brainer. Hopefully I can go there and start to enjoy myself again.

“But I love Keighley as a club and if they would have me back one day when circumstances have changed – in a couple of years’ time or whenever – I would play for them tomorrow for free.”

Feather’s career started over 20 years ago as an eight-year-old on the wing for Cougar Cubs and playing for Keighley Albion before he signed for the Cougars Academy as a 17-year-old.

He soon graduated to the first team under Eaton, making his debut against Oldham in 2006, and has played more than 200 games for the club.

Feather has experienced plenty of highs and lows for his hometown team, including promotions, relegations and two Grand Final wins.

The club’s controversial slide into Championship One last month was the lowest point of all.

Feather said: “The high points were the two Grand Finals and my testimonial year was great because of all the support I got from the fans.

“They will be shocked I’m leaving because they know how much I love Keighley.

“The down side was the relegation this season and, like I said, I struggled on the field in the past twelve to eighteen months. Now is the time to move on.”

Eaton works closely with Leeds boss Brian McDermott as part of the clubs’ partnership and Rhinos players have played for the Hawks on dual registration.

Feather said: “Barry works at Leeds now and I know Hunslet use the Rhinos’ facilities, so the link-up should benefit us.

“Hunslet have signed Jack Lee from York, so I’m hoping I can help him in his development.

“Next season in the Championship is going to be really exciting, playing against teams such as Bradford, and it’s also an exciting time at Hunslet given the link-up they have with Leeds Rhinos.”

Feather will continue to working as a full-time project worker at Your Sporting Chance, which is connected to Cougars.

Feather, who made 18 appearances for Cougars in 2014, scoring eight tries, said: “They have been supportive of my move and have told me that I’m good at my job and that it will still be mine.

“I have been working with the same kids for a couple of years now and I enjoy it.

“But I’m not saying I’ll never return to Keighley. I have ambitions to get into coaching so you never know when I might be back.”

Meanwhile, Cougars' Elliott Cosgrove has been named in a 29-man train-on squad for Ireland's European Championship campaign.