KEIGHLEY have appointed Alex Brown as their club captain for the forthcoming season.

The fly half, who has played for the first XV since he was 17, is a product of the club's successful junior section.

He took the reins last season when Will Armitage was injured, with the hooker now recovering from knee surgery.

New head coach Dave Duxbury said: "Having observed a commitment, a leader and someone who shows a great work ethos, I am delighted to say Alex Brown has agreed to become 1st XV captain for the new season.”

Brown said: “I'm very proud to have been asked to be Keighley's club captain.

"It's an exciting time for the club with new facilities, new players and a new coaching team.

"An incredible amount of hard work has gone in to making Keighley the amazing club it is today. I'm looking forward to helping carry that on."

Former Yorkshire and England Counties skipper Rob Baldwin is one of those new players.

Director of rugby Russ Gibson said: “It’s an exciting time at the club now with the new AGP (artificial grass pitch) well under way and due for completion early next month.

"The appointment of Brownie as club captain cements the hard work and dedication he displayed last season, stepping up as captain as cover for Will, along with his work pre-season, which has impressed both Dave and James (Cunliffe).

"We hope to be announcing several further signings in the next few weeks, which will help galvanise that strength in depth needed to compete in Yorkshire One.”

Both Brown and Baldwin will be in action tonight when Keighley take a squad of 29 play at Preston Grasshoppers in three 30-minute matches on their new artificial grass pitch (7.30).

Keighley (at Preston Grasshoppers): D Smith, S Booker, C Spencer, G Ranton, S Minikin, J Fox, J Cunliffe, S Everett, L Carter, S Inman, J Yaxley, R Ridehalgh, L Uren, D Snowden, T Lowther, R Baldwin, L Sugden, J Clarke, C Meehan, A Brown, A Horsfall, R Wilkinson, D McGee, J Sugden, J Morton, J Atkinson, L Everett, A Ebbrell, A Seeley.