Keighley boss Jason Demetriou has called for closer relations between the Bulls and the Cougars… starting this weekend!

Demetriou, at the end of his first season as player-coach, is urging Bulls fans to get behind his side in Sunday’s Championship One qualifying semi-final against Workington at Cougar Park.

And he stressed the two traditional rivals can help each other on the field too.

The former Wakefield skipper explained: “I think it would be good for both clubs if we could forge some good ties with the Bulls in the future and maybe make use of dual-registered players and so on.

“We can maybe give some of their young players more match experience if we can use them on dual registration and hopefully that will ultimately benefit both clubs.”

The Cougars, who finished second in the Championship One table, face what Demetriou describes as the “the biggest game in the past couple of years for the club” against Workington, with a place in the Grand Final at the Halliwell Jones Stadium and possible promotion just 80 minutes away for the winners.

Demetriou added: “The Bulls are usually our rivals but their fans have got nothing to do and quite a few turned up to watch when we signed Dave Halley from them in the summer.

“I spoke to a couple in the bar after the game and they said they’d absolutely loved it and would look forward to coming again.

“I’d like as many people as possible to come along and help us get Championship rugby league back at this club next year.”