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Keighley Cougars’ farewell to the man who masterminded star signings like Hull KR star and Leigh Centurions prop

Yesterday the newly named York RLFC stunned the rugby league community as they revealed their new coach.

They replaced the Wakefield bound James Ford, who joins Trinity as Mark Applegarth’s assistant coach, with former Castleford Tigers player, London boss and Warrington Wolves assistant Andrew Henderson who has been making frequent appearances on Premier Sports in their coverage of the Championship in 2022.

Henderson has been busy elsewhere in 2022 as Keighley Cougars’ Director of Rugby masterminding their promotion to the Championship by finishing top of League 1.

He had begun to prepare the club for the second tier in 2023 making some impressive signings such as Ben Crooks from Hull KR and most recently Mark Ioane from Leigh.

However, with Henderson taking on the Head Coach role at York on a five-year deal, Henderson leaves behind the project at Keighley.

That said, there is no ill feeling towards Henderson at Keighley with the club’s chairman wishing him well.

Keighley Cougars Chairman Mick O’Neill MBE expressed his gratitude to ‘Hendo’ for believing in the vision and making Cougar dreams a reality.

“Keighley are lucky to have had a man with the talent of Andrew Henderson.

“Andrew and Rhys made dreams come true in 2022.

“We are sad to see Andrew leave Cougar Park, but we understand his passion and desire to coach.

“For a Director of Rugby to come to Cougars and in his first season put together and manage a team which went unbeaten is an unbelievable achievement by such a talent.

“I wish Andrew all the best at York, they are lucky to have him”.

Cougars Managing Director, Kaue Garcia thanked Andrews for working with him at Cougar Park.

“Hendo put together a framework of discipline and recruitment which supported Rhys in his mission to play exciting rugby,” said Garcia.

“That mission has given us all unprecedented success and joy.

“I am sorry to see Hendo and his partner Cheryl leave Cougar Park, they will forever be part of this club and be friends that I will treasure.”

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