Every club and every supporter feel disappointment when results on the field do not meet expectations. Keighley Cougars is no different. Rugby league is a challenging sport, and poor performances on the field inevitably impact what happens off it. Attendances suffer, sponsorship becomes more difficult to secure, and financial pressures increase. The reality is that every decision made by a club has consequences.
In the light of the changes made by the RFL, specifically making promotion almost impossible, over the last year we made the difficult but necessary decisions to reshape the club into a sustainable operation. That meant reducing expenditure and ensuring our budget reflected the revenues the club generates. We knew this would mean we would no longer spend at the levels we had in previous years when promotion was a possibility, but we firmly believe it was the right thing to do.
We would rather lead a club that is stable, responsible and sustainable than one that spends recklessly in pursuit of short-term success. Just in the last 2 years, across rugby league, we have seen too many examples of clubs facing serious financial difficulties such as Salford, Halifax, Oldham, North Wales and even more examples of clubs ceasing operations altogether such as Featherstone, Cornwall, West Wales and London Skolars. Those experiences reinforced our belief that sustainability must always come first as the future of the Championship remains unknown.
For the past seven years, we have done everything we could to serve this club to the best of our abilities. We are immensely proud of many of the achievements we have accomplished both on and off the field. From saving this great club, to improving the facilities from what we inherited, to having the perfect campaign in 2022, to showing solidarity with the Ukrainian kids facing the challenges of war, bringing football to Keighley and also a great concert that will hopefully put Keighley on the map and make residents feel proud of this town.
We stuck our necks out and fought the IMG involvement in rugby league, for which we were ridiculed by many– but we did what we thought was right for the sport, and we believe time has proved we were right.
However, through the seven years of this journey, social media has increasingly become a hostile environment, where a minority have chosen to direct personal abuse towards us on an almost daily basis, both on public forums and in direct messages.
No matter what decisions we make, there are always voices claiming we are ruining the club. Much of that criticism centres around our commitment to inclusion, our support for the LGBT+ community, and the accusation of “not knowing what we are doing” because we are a gay couple who supposedly know nothing about rugby. We heard countless times that we should “focus on rugby” rather than other initiatives.
Yet despite the noise, we remained focused on our commitment and belief that Keighley Cougars should be a place where everyone feels welcome, regardless of background, religion, sexuality, or gender identity, we wanted our club to be a home for all.
During our ownership, we have hosted seven Pride games out of more than 100 matches played under our stewardship. Seven occasions dedicated to celebrating and supporting a community that still faces discrimination and prejudice, yet the attacks we received make it seem that Pride has taken over the entire rugby calendar, when in fact, it is just one game per year.
For us, this was never about politics. It was about people.
As a same-sex couple, we understand firsthand what it means to be denied equal rights. The fight for equality and acceptance continues today, particularly for our transgender brothers and sisters, who continue to face significant challenges while politicians try to erase them from society. This is why we fight, and why flying the rainbow flag 365 days per day at Cougar Park matters.
We have never apologised for standing alongside the LGBT+ community, and we never will.
However, the constant personal attacks have taken a toll bit by bit.
Every defeat, every difficult decision, every player departure or coaching change often triggered another wave of abuse. While we fully respect every supporter’s right to express their opinion and hold us accountable, there is a difference between criticism and personal attacks.
After the 2023 season, the volume and intensity of the abuse became overwhelming. It affected our sleep, our wellbeing and our mental health. We both experienced periods of immense stress and emotional exhaustion, to the point where we both were prescribed anti-anxiety medication. At times, the pressure became incredibly difficult to cope, so much so that we just wanted to up and disappear.
In 2024, we released a video highlighting some of the abuse we receive. It sparked important conversations and brought attention to an issue that exists not only in rugby league but across sport and society. Yet the cycle continues.
After a lot of reflection we have made the difficult decision to step away from our roles as custodians of Keighley Cougars at the end of this 2026 season.
Over the coming months, we will work to find a suitable new owner who shares our passion, values and ambition for this great club, and who can continue the work of taking Keighley Cougars to greater heights.
Ultimately, while we remain proud of everything we have achieved, we have reached a point where we feel it is the right time for a new chapter—both for ourselves and for the club.
Keighley Cougars has been a huge part of our lives for seven years. We have celebrated unforgettable moments together, faced challenges together, and poured our hearts into building something with incredible people by our side.
To the supporters, volunteers, staff, players, coaches, and sponsors who have stood by us throughout this journey – thank you.
Your loyalty, passion and dedication are what make this club special.
Our commitment between now and the end of the season remains unchanged. We will continue to work hard every day to ensure the club is left in the strongest possible position and to identify the right people to carry Keighley Cougars forward.
This club existed long before us and will continue long after us.
We will leave knowing that we gave everything we had, always with the best interests of Keighley Cougars at heart.
Thank you for allowing us to be part of this remarkable story.
Ryan & Kaue
Unfortunately all things come to a end like life but from the bottom of my heart I thank you both for everything you have done to keep Keighley rugby going under lots of pressure all the best too you both in what ever you do in the future even though we have never met you both will always be a part of cougars history
It is shameful that you have been driven out by the bigotry which seems to be regarded as a virtue by some in this world.
Sport and Rugby League in particular should transcend this hatred and you two in particular should be regarded as exemplars of an inclusive and positive ethos.
IMG will claim more victims – as it was designed to do and unless this changes Rugby League will become a minority sport due to corporate greed.
Your influence would have helped and with you gone I fear Keighley RLFC/Cougars will fade into obscurity.
Thanks for what you have done and I hope you will be left alone to enjoy your lives.