Barry Eaton is relishing his return to Cougar Park on Sunday and declared: “I’ll always have an affiliation with the club.”

The former Cougars head coach has been granted a testimonial by the Rugby Football League for his 20-year service to the sport.

Keighley have been chosen as the official supporting club for a series of events, including an exhibition match and a dinner. Eaton’s select side, featuring players who played with or against him, including Iestyn Harris, Phil Stephenson, Karl Smith, Jason Lee, Richard Knight, Anthony Sullivan, Jamie Bloem, Nigel Wright and Lee St Hilaire, will take on Jason Demetriou’s newly-promoted side at Cougar Park (2pm).

Eaton said: “Hopefully there will be a great turnout and everybody will be in great spirits after the Cougars’ promotion success last weekend.

“I have to thank Cougars chairman Gary Fawcett for throwing his support behind the testimonial.

“I’ve got over 20 years in the game but Gary did exceptionally well in putting the relevant information together and helping to make it all possible.”

Eaton, who played for Widnes in Super League and Batley Bulldogs and Dewsbury Rams at the level below, took charge at Keighley in 2007, having earlier joined as player-coach under Peter Roe.

He led them into the Championship but a points deduction due to Cougars entering administration led to them coming back down.