Cougars boss Peter Roe today paid tribute to retiring Keighley legend Phil Stephenson, admitting: "No-one has ever given so much to this club."

The veteran prop will finally hang up his boots after their last LHF Healthplan National League Two match of the season on Sunday.

Stalwart Stephenson has amassed a huge 342 games for Keighley since debuting against Barrow at Lawkholme Lane in 1991 but is now preparing to pull on the red and green jersey for the last time.

Roe reckons the ever-dedicated one-club man will be remembered as one of the game's true greats.

"Phil will be captain for the day against London Skolars here and leading the team out on Sunday," he said.

"He's just been a tremendous servant to the club. He stayed on this season after his benefit year when many others would probably have retired.

"Phil's played for the last two or three years in a Keighley side that has really struggled and he could have walked away but never did.

"He's a no-nonsense player and a no-nonsense person who turns up, does his training, never moans, is very rarely in the treatment room and is an example to all the young players here at Keighley to follow.

"No player who has ever played rugby league will have given as much as Phil has done, especially considering, with respect to him, he has never played at highest level.

"But he's done his bit for Keighley and rugby league and that should never be forgotten."

Stephenson, 34, arrived from Clayton ARLFC 15 years ago, making his first appearance at the same time as elder brother Andy.

A tireless and robust front-rower, he was talked out of retirement last winter to play one more season and has proved a huge influence in Roe's young side.

Stephenson has featured in every fixture and has inevitably been in the running for man-of-the-match honours on a weekly basis with his non-stop drive and commitment.

Player-coach Barry Eaton added: "I played against Phil for a number of years and always knew what a tough competitor he was.

"I've been delighted to have the pleasure of coaching and playing alongside him this season.

"He's done so much for the squad and the club and in many ways he's going to be irreplaceable. Now we're hoping he can bow out in style with a win on Sunday."

Eaton hopes Cougar fans will turn up in their droves to pay their appreciation to the popular and loyal one-club man.

"Phil played in the heyday of Cougarmania, when the club would regularly have 6,000 or 7,000 people here," he said.

"It would be nice to see some of those fans that have watched him through the years back down here on Sunday."