Keighley Cougars are in the Betfred Championship in 2023 and will mean business.
The Cougars have already laid down a marker with some huge signings.
They already had former Hull KR, Bradford Bulls and Featherstone Rovers star Dane Chisholm and have now added the likes of ex-Hull FC star Ben Crooks straight from Super League along with some other high profile signings from the likes of Leigh Leopards and Wakefield Trinity.
The Cougars clearly aren’t just there to make up the numbers and are also likely keen to send a message to the sport after they were the only club to vote against the IMG proposals which could seem some top teams immune to relegation in the future if given a Grade A licence.
A club that isn’t afraid to make a statement their 2023 kits do that literally as they take the very unique step of having words all over their shirts.
Both their home and away kits have vees made out of the words peace, love and unity as they look to bring all three to what they call “a divided world.”
Both kits are almost identical. The start off white prior to these words and then turn to either red or green.
👕 Keighley Cougars can this evening officially launch our 2023 playing kits.
❤️ In a divided world, our 2023 kits promote, and aim to bring, peace, love, and unity, for all.
Read ➡️ https://t.co/EiOAdfpjuS
Pre-Order ➡️ https://t.co/6eUF3uMgGL#JoinThePride pic.twitter.com/dQv0m7v93N
— Keighley Cougars (@Cougarmania) November 23, 2022
In a statement from the club, they revealed that part of their aim is to do their bit with the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russia as well as supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
They said:
“The world is divided, our country is divided, and our town is divided, and the Keighley Cougars are standing together once more to do what we can to help unite people and bring them together.
“To show this commitment, the 2023 playing jerseys will once more carry the progress flag to promote LGBTQ+ and equality, and also the boot which shows our commitment to kicking all forms of racism out of professional sport.
“On top of this, the kit will also carry the flag of Ukraine to show our support in their ongoing war against the oppression of Russia.
“And with a certain percentage of our shirt sales going towards charity, it is charities that support the Ukraine where that percentage will go next season.
“The club will make a donation from each shirt sale to charities that are helping those flee the war in Ukraine and in addition this, the club is setting up a fund to support local groups who work to bring communities and people together in Keighley.
“This fund will be launched immediately and open to applications for funding from those within the town from the spring of next year.”