Although Keighley Cougars have only been in existence since 2001, there has been a Keighley rugby club since 1876.

Like most of the clubs at that time Keighley started out playing rugby union, but unlike most of them they didn't join the breakaway Northern Union until 1900.

It was not until the 1930s, though, that the Yorkshire outfit made their presence felt, particularly after they signed New Zealand half-back Ted Spillane as well as Wigan duo Hal Jones and George Dixon in 1932.

Five years later they reached their one and only Challenge Cup final to date, against Widnes, but Keighley lost 18-5 at Wembley.

From that pinnacle the club hit a major slump on and off the pitch, so that in 1985 they were served with a winding-up order by the Inland Revenue. Closure was only avoided by selling Lawkholme Lane's cricket pitch and training field.

However, in 1993 Peter Roe guided Keighley to the Third Division title to give the club hope, only for it to be dashed when the Rugby Football League decided to merge the Second and Third Divisions.

Two years later Keighley suffered further heartache when, after landing the Second Division crown, they were once again denied promotion because of the creation of the Super League.

It was too much for Keighley to endure and they were liquidated in 2001, re-forming as Keighley Cougars.

In 2003 the Cougars once again won promotion, to National League One, but the celebrations did not last long as they were relegated after just one season.