Chairman Gary Fawcett believes the Cougars’ star-studded squad has been assembled at approximately half the cost of at least three rival Championship clubs.

Keighley have raised eyebrows during the winter after a stunning recruitment drive which harvested a host of former Super League stars.

Michael Korkidas, Sam Obst, Semi Tadulala and Paul March all played with player-coach Jason Demetriou at Wakefield, while other stellar names such as Richie Barnett and Danny Jones have also signed up.

After previous financial woes which saw the Cougars forced to enter administration, Fawcett is keen to stress that the club are living within their means.

Moreover, he reckons they are spending far less than the likes of Leigh, Halifax and Featherstone and explained how Obst and Korkidas had been recruited with support from two charities.

“The Cougars Foundation charity has found Sam Obst a full-time job with the Foundation, which is part of his personal development,” said Fawcett.

“Michael Korkidas has similarly got a full-time job with Sporting Chance, which helps people who have fallen out of education and want to get back into it.

“Having full-time employment, with the help of the club, has allowed both lads to come on board as Cougars players for 2012.

“Semi Tadulala, meanwhile, is looking at a job with a Super League club as his full-time employment and, as with many players in the Championship, his rugby is to top up his finances, while allowing him to play the game he loves, and push for a spot in the Fijian World Cup team.

“In fact, I would estimate that we are spending approximately half of what the big clubs in the Championship – Leigh, Halifax and Featherstone – are spending.”

Expectations at Cougar Park have soared following the arrival of so many big-name players.

At a recent meeting, the Rugby Football League’s financial review committee mentioned that, with the strength of this squad, Demetriou’s men should be aiming to finish in the top six and reach the Northern Rail Cup semi-finals in 2012.

But Fawcett is aiming higher and said: “JD will obviously set the goals for the team and I will support them. “Of course, for the club, I would like to see us finish in the top four, reach the Northern Rail Cup final and enjoy a good Challenge Cup campaign. “Playing against a Super League team in the Challenge Cup, as we did last season at Warrington, was a good experience.

“I thought we played well that day, even though we lost 80-0! So let’s try and finish in the top four and see what happens.

“If we do well this year, then we can look to strengthen the squad further in 2013 and 2014, with the ultimate aim being to push for a Super League licence in three years’ time.

“We tick a lot of the boxes, other than the stadium. We do need a new stadium and that’s something we have to sort out if we are to push for a place in Super League. But the progress on the field is there for all to see.”

The Cougars head to York City Knights on Sunday (kick-off 3pm) aiming to bounce back from their Boxing Day hammering at Halifax.

Meanwhile, supporters have up to and including the home friendly against Batley a week on Sunday to buy season-tickets for the 2012 campaign at discounted prices.