Bizarre period at Championship club continues as Super League club cuts dual reg ties immediately

It is a funny old time at Keighley Cougars at the moment.

The club were firm in their stand against IMG but since their efforts to convince the rest of the sport to vote against their changes failed the club have gone through plenty of turmoil.

The Cougars lost star signing Luke Gale as the former Castleford Tigers and Leeds Rhinos star joined Wakefield Trinity for the rest of the 2023 season and for 2024.

They then announced that they would be parting company with coach Rhys Lovegrove.

And now the club’s dual registration partnership with Hull KR has ended immediately in a strange move given the likes of Ethan Ryan have played for the Cougars through the system this year.

The Robins made the following statement:

“Hull KR can confirm the club’s dual-registration partnership with Keighley Cougars has ended with immediate effect.”

Hull KR can confirm the club's dual-registration partnership with @Cougarmania has ended with immediate effect.#UpTheRobins 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/ufgojA3P7C

— Hull KR (@hullkrofficial) May 18, 2023

Many believe this is in response to Lovegrove’s departure.

He made 159 appearances for Hull KR from 2007-14.

He was the one who guided Keighley to promotion and an unbeaten season last year but was cast aside with the Cougars close to the play-off places and fans believe the Robins are standing by their former star.

The club themselves have not explained the decision and Keighley are yet to comment on the matter.