A FUNDRAISING campaign is being mounted for a legend of Keighley Cougars who has motor neurone disease.

COUGARS announced last week that Phil Stephenson, 45, has been diagnosed with the condition.

The former captain holds the record for the most number of appearances for Keighley in the summer era.

The long-serving prop, who lives in Cowling, played 343 games for the club in a 15-year spell. He retired at the age of 34 at the end of the 2006 season, having been part of the successful 'Cougarmania' period during the 1990s.

His wife Karen is running the Manchester Half Marathon on October 15 to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association.

She said her husband's diagnosis had come after a year in which he had been struggling to use his arms, with this problem getting steadily worse over the past few months.

She added: "Being an ex-rugby league player and an active person this has been tough for him.

"Although he can no longer play rugby he still coaches rugby league to children under 12, including our own son.

"The road ahead is going to be really tough for us all, as this disease progresses to the rest of his body.

"But the MND association will be there for us every step of the way to ensure he achieves the best quality of life. They can only do that through people's generous contributions and fundraising."

Messages of support for 'Stepho' and his family flooded in to the Cougars Facebook site following confirmation of the news.

Former Keighley head coach Gary Moorby, whom Stephenson played under, wrote: "I was made aware of this sad news fairly recently and was shocked and upset to hear it.

"Phil is a top bloke and was, as we know, a great player for the club and our game in general. He had an outstanding career and was a coach's dream.

"You just knew what you would get from Phil, never less than 110 per cent effort and no backward steps.

"Phil will no doubt deal with this news as he sees fit. I am sure he will receive great support from his family and friends. But also he can rest assured that the RL Family in our community will also be there to offer our support."

Club captain James Feather, who became only the second player after Stephenson to reach 300 appearances in the summer era for Cougars this month, wrote: "Let's raise some money and support this hero and his family."

Motor neurone disease is a rare condition that progressively damages parts of the nervous system.

People can visit facebook.com/Philsmndfightback to donate to Karen's fundraising drive or provide details on their own charity activity to help the same cause.

Karen said: "Phil would really appreciate people being inspired to take part in fundraising events to raise money for MND association.

"Also, we've had an outpouring of messages and donations so far that have been really overwhelming and we would like to stay a huge 'thank you'. "The Rugby League family locally and further afield have been so supportive."

Phil coaches at Silsden Storm junior rugby league club. His brother Andy Stephenson and his father John Stephenson have both also previously played for the Cougars.