COUGARS are pressing ahead with efforts to build a squad for next season after a number of key players re-signed in the wake of the club's relegation.

Player-coach Paul March had considered retiring at the end of the season but, having missed a large chunk of the 2014 campaign through suspension, he will now play on.

Winger Paul White, who has topped the try-scoring charts in his two seasons at the club since joining from Halifax, will also stay as Keighley bid to make an immediate return to the Championship.

Paul Handforth, Danny Jones, Brendon Rawlins, James Feather, Scott Law, Neil Cherryholme and Jode Sheriffe have similarly committed themselves to the club for next season's promotion assault.

Chairman Gary Fawcett said: "I'm really pleased that many of the players from our squad last season have signed for next season.

"As we are currently relegated to League One, all of the retained players have had to accept reduced terms but they have done it to demonstrate their commitment to the Cougars cause."

More signings are expected shortly but a number of players have left the club. Sean Hesketh has joined Batley and James Craven is expected to do likewise. Jack Lee is headed for Fryston and Josh Lynam has gone travelling to Australia, while Andy Shickell and James Haley have both retired.

Meanwhile, Cougars are still considering their options as they weigh up a possible joint legal challenge with Sheffield Eagles against the Rugby Football League.

Fawcett estimates that relegation from the Championship will cost the club over £250,000 next season and is aggrieved that Batley and Doncaster were both reinstated the three points they were initially deducted for fielding ineligible dual registration players in July.

Fawcett feels there is a strong case to declare the appeal panel's decision null and void and reinstate the punishment – under the RFL's own operational rules.

The club are now in contact with Sheffield, who are also aggrieved at the decision as it cost them £25,000 in prize money and the opportunity of a second chance in the play-offs, as they would have finished above Doncaster.

Fawcett says he has put several questions to the game's governing body but has yet to have any replies other than one courtesy e-mail and two standard legal replies.

If that continues, the club will pursue legal action against the RFL alongside the Eagles, with Cougars having held talks with solicitor Richard Cramer, who advised the club almost 20 years ago when they were denied entry to Super League.

Fawcett said: "We have agreed with Sheffield to take joint action against the RFL if we need to.

"I sincerely hope that we don't have to do that because I don't think it's good for our game. But we have asked a number of questions of the RFL but have not had any answers as yet."

Cougars supporter Nige Hall has set up an online petition on www.change.org to reinstate the club to the Championship.

Fawcett said: "We have over 1,750 signatures so far. Could I ask all the people of Keighley and the surrounding area, plus all those that love the sport of rugby league and the integrity of sport in general, to sign the petition please? One more signature can change the world."