Player of year Scott Law is latest to leave crisis-hit Cougars

The experienced prop, who was named Keighley's player of the year last season, has joined League One rivals Oldham.

Long-serving Law, who has played more than 200 games for Cougars in nine years, joins Ritchie Hawkyard and Anthony Bowman in making the switch to the Roughyeds from Keighley.

The Lawkholme Lane club is currently in crisis over allegations of unpaid wages, which saw former head coach Craig Lingard resign in protest last week.

Law's exit comes just days after players and staff said the latest of a number of deadlines for overdue wages had been missed - though owners Austria Holdings refute the claim.

Law arrives at the Vestcare Stadium with a strong endorsement from Hawkyard, who also won three end-of-season player awards with Cougars this year.

The 33-year-old prop said: “I think ‘Titch’ (Hawkyard) must have had something to do with it.

“Chris (Hamilton) phoned me, said Oldham were looking for a prop and then sold the club to me really well. I was waiting to see if things would get any better at Keighley, but when they didn’t I decided, like ‘Titch’, that it was time to go.

“Having been at Keighley for so many years, it will be a bit daunting at first to go to a new club, but it’s a massive new challenge and I’m up for it big style.

“I’m really looking forward to getting over there and getting cracking.”

Oldham coach Scott Naylor said: “He’ll bring a lot to us in the way of experience in the front-row, both on the field and in showing the younger lads a thing or two.

“I’m sure he’ll fit in really well.”

In a statement earlier in the week, the RFL said they were monitoring the situation at Keighley and seeking clarity over their governance.

Meanwhile, a report has stated that Australian former Leeds Rhinos player Matt Adamson is interested in coaching Cougars and acting as team manager.

Adamson has said he is in the process of trying to find investment in his home country ahead of potentially meeting with key stakeholders.