Keighley Cougars can today announce the departure of Jack Miller from the club.
Jack departs Cougar Park after five years with the club to join Championship side, Newcastle Thunder.
Speaking of his decision to depart the club, Miller said: “At this moment in time in my career, I am going into the prime years of my rugby. I respect the clubs decision to go in a different direction but I just have to put myself and my family first”
“I’ve signed a deal to the end of the year with a hope to get some regular rugby.”
“There are no words that can describe what we did as a collective last year – the most wonderful years of my life and if it wasn’t for Keighley I wouldn’t be in the position I am in now”
“I am sad to see it end, but as one chapter closes another one opens”
Arriving at Cougar Park in 2019 from Doncaster Rovers, Jack quickly cemented himself as a key figure within the club and a favourite amongst his teammates and the Keighley faithful with his flamboyant style of play and sense of humour off the field.
Jack won every honour in the 2022 League 1 season and ended the 2021 and 2022 season with the honour of top-goal scorer and top-points scorer.
Speaking on Millers departure, coach Rhys Lovegrove said “Understandably Jack is at a period in his career where he wants to play footy every week and for one or other reason I have decided to go with Dane and Luke in the halves and for that reason Jack has asked for his release and wants to ply his trade elsewhere”.
“It’s a tough one from an emotional stance as he’s someone I consider a friend of mine but I can understand his reasons as well as understanding mine”
“Jack is rightly a fans favourite and he’s been a huge part of what we’ve been building since 2019. What he has done here at the club should not be understated in any capacity”
“Jack’s name should be associated with Keighley for a long time. He was part of the club during a turbulent time and his name should be synonymous with this modern era of Keighley Cougars for a long time”
Everyone at the Keighley Cougars would like to thank Jack for his contributions to the clubs success and wish him all the best in his new adventure with Newcastle.
Feel very sad to see not only a very good player but also clubman leave the club in this way.
This isn’t my idea of building a good atmosphere between players and only hope that it doesn’t wash off on any more of last seasons great team.
Rhys, always make sure your best players are in the team somewhere. Luke could have played full back.