I had to come back on to say what a pleasure it is to be a fan of our great club.

Sure from time to time I dish out the odd bit of criticism but only because I care about the club.

For pretty obvious reasons there weren't that many hardy souls that made the trip down to Toulouse for yesterday's game. To be honest I only saw 4, myself, Harry-al-Hill and Soupy who performed Green Army duties, and I noticed Sue Dodds leaving the ground at full-time.

In the ground before the game Neil Cullen gave us some passes for after the game. After the game we were milling around in the gymnasium next the ground which had some beer and food on the go. JD came in and had a chat with harry-al-hill and myself and thanked us for travelling over and that it meant a lot to the team. It was a really nice touch, but it got better. A few minutes later Nigel, our physio came over for a chat and during the conversation found out that Soupy missed the chance to talk to JD because he'd been at the bar. Nigel proceeded to take us past a couple of security guards in to the area where all the players were and then proceed to mention we're were the ones making all the noise. So we ended up having a chat with all the players who pretty much all to a man shook our hands. It was a real class act on Nigel's behalf.

Late in the night me and harry-al-hill were walking past a pub when I hear a tap on a window. I looks over to see Paul March beckoning us inside. Most of the team were there, I went to the bar to get a round in and Neil Cullen stepped in and paid for it, top man! After that we had a great laugh with the players, and posed for a few photos.

You know what, the result wasn't great yesterday but the experience made the trip worth it. Thanks to all at the club.

Brilliant post, hope you enjoyed it.

Nice one Mick

Andy Aspinall, told me you would go to any length to get a free pint. Bloody hell Mick he was right

Wonderful news, delighted to hear you had such a good time. Also kudos to players, Neil and Nigel, great effort from you over all of this

Rumbled

I couldn't agree more with Stealth.

As a born and bred 'Keighlian' I always know where my 'TRUE LOYALTIES' lie - as do my children who now live over 250 miles from Keighley. That's why i cringe whenever I see 'Bulls' - sorry, 'NORTHERN' and 'Rhino' - sorry LEEDS shirts in and around Keighley!

Apart from my games as a 4-year-old with my father and his uncle, who played for Swinton in the 1920's, I have supported Keighley and the Cougars since the traditional Bank Holiday Monday fixture against Bradford Northern in 1962 and have missed few 'home' games but several more 'away' games since.

With this in mind, I feel that I have to ask the question: 'Where has 'local pride' gone?' If you live in Keighley then why do you support Northern or Leeds?

In JD we have a brilliant coach who has worked wonders in his first season. He gives his soul to the Club both on and off the pitch. You simply have to see how he plays after the opposition has scored against us and the number of ocasions that his individual efforts have levelled the scores! Even if he was our only player then everyone with an ounce of pride in Keighley should and MUST give him the support that he deserves.

Years ago, when we played Hull KR, Mick O'Neill gave a similar gesture to my wife and daughter, by giving them tickets for stand seats. That's what OUR CLUB is all about! The Directors and Staff really do care - especially when compared with Super League Clubs.

Forget the others and try to bring friends, new and lapsed-supporters back to Lawkholme/Cougar Park to experience the flowing rugby that JD has inspired his team to play.

This season will be tough but we will win more games than we lose given the strength and dedication of the squad.

Sorry 'Stealth' - I forgot that I hadn't addressed you correctly and that you did both yourself and the other fans/supporters who could and did make the journey to Toulouse:

You're not a 'fan' YOU (AND THEY) ARE A TRUE SUPPORTER(S)!!!!!!!!!!!

And I couldn't agree more with you. I may have lived 100 miles away for the best part of 20 years but I am and always will be a Keighlian. The north east is fine but it will never be 'home' for me. Home is Keighley and there is only one team I could ever support. Leeds - no thanks. And anyone from Keighley who supports the Bulls, well words fail me; that's an absolute disgrace. My son is only 7, born in Sunderland, but he loves the Cougars too and wears his shirt with pride amidst all the red & white striped football types round these parts.

I have to say that having read through the game report and this aptly named thread that Stealth has done an incredible job of reporting back to all cougar fans back home and should be applauded for his efforts



It was a real pleasure to meet Soupy, a guy that holds a Cougars season ticket and attends what away games he can and Toulouse away of all games!, a fine effort to say he no longer lives in Keighley, Derby if I recall correctly (i had had a few to say the least

)

Peter & Heather, Thank you for making us feel so welcome, it was a real pleasure to meet you both, Thank you for the souvenir



JD, Nigel, Neil and all the players made us all feel a part of our club, Thank you all



All in all this was a fantastic experience that I will remember for a very long time to come

I am looking forward to coming to France again, Now can anyone tell me the next cup draw when we are scheduled to play against the French?

I must say that I had an exceptional weekend. It was great to meet both Harry-Al-Hill and Stealth Comic in person. I will see you again either on the terraces or at the bar! I totally agree that Keighley are more than just a club. I support them when and where I can. I really enjoyed the game on Saturday despite only coming away with a draw, it is still a very important 2 points.

But I have to say the icing on the cake for me was being able to meet JD and company. A big thanks to Nigel for the introduction. With a great set of guys like that it makes it even easier to be a supporter. These are exciting times for the Keighley Cougars and I really hope that the support grows throughout the season. For three blokes on the terraces at Toulouse we made quite a lot of noise. I hope the next home game the supporters are even more vocal and positively cheer on the team.

Gutted I can't make it to Rochdale, but I'll see everyone at Cougar Park when Oldham visit.