KEIGHLEY Cougars star Josh Lynam will see his years of service to the club recognised on Sunday, as he runs out for his testimonial match against Coventry Bears.

His father, former rugby league professional Daz, says the game at Cougar Park is just reward for the second row, who has stuck with the club through it all, despite the temptations that laid elsewhere.

Lynam junior joined the club as a young boy, and made his way through the ranks before making his first team debut in 2013 at Batley Bulldogs.

He is a Keighley lad too, which makes Sunday’s testimonial even more special.

Speaking about his son, Lynam senior said: “He’s had offers to join others but he’s a hometown boy and he’s always wanted to play for Keighley.

“That’s what he wanted from six years of age, when he played for the Cubs side, and he’s come all the way through.

“When he was five, I used to take him to watch me play for Doncaster and even then, he was always messing about with the ball on the sideline.

“My dad was the same, taking me to the rugby, so it’s in the blood for us as a family.”

Talking about an often forgotten aspect of playing rugby league at this level, Lynam said: “As his dad, he won’t realise the sacrifices he’s made.

“It’s not massive money, so he’s had 10 years of missing out on stag dos and going out on Saturdays with mates so he can play for Cougars on Sundays.

“I know people will say, ‘well at least he gets to play for Cougars’, but he’s not made a lot of money, he’s not in a big house or living comfortably.

“He is going to make money from the testimonial but a couple of years ago, we didn’t know what was round the corner with the club, and he wouldn’t even have had one. But he’s stood by the club through all of that.”

Being a one-club man means Lynam junior has had his fair share of memorable moments.

Asked to pick out his favourites, the second row’s father said: “There was his debut at Batley in 2013. They had Alex Walmsley in their side then, who now plays for Great Britain and St Helens.

“There was when he helped them win the iPro Cup at Blackpool (against York in 2016). He did well when Cougars were beaten by Widnes in the Challenge Cup Quarter Final in 2014 too.

“It was great to see him named at second row by Cougars fans in their Team of the Decade as well.”

Remarkably, Lynam is still only 26 and his father maintains he still has a lot to learn from current coach Rhys Lovegrove.

He said: “Josh is still young and needs his coaching. Whether it’s Jason Demetriou, Paul March, Craig Lingard or Rhys, they all have their different methods and it’s not easy to just change.

“Josh has had to adapt his whole game because Rhys told me he was making too many tackles, when he wanted him to be in the right (attacking) positions.

“Josh didn’t get his squad number either because he was injured and Rhys didn’t know his capabilities.

“He could have got complacent, given that he’s been in the team for years, but he’s worked hard in pre-season, and now he has Rhys singing his praises.”