Keighley Cougars stalwart Matthew Bailey has had his testimonial confirmed by the Rugby Football League.

Bailey has been a staple of rugby league in the town, and the Keighley Cougars, since first joining the club in the winter of 2012.

A hometown boy, he joined the club from the Bradford Bulls ahead of the 2013 season finally making his debut later in the campaign against the Dewsbury Rams after sustaining a broken leg in a pre-season friendly.

Bailey made his way into the side and became a regular during the 2015 season, after a loan spell with the Hemel Stags in order to return to match fitness.

The prop forward would become an integral part of the squad over the next couple of years and his efforts on the field would be rewarded for it.

His performances on the back of his breakthrough season would see Bailey win back-to-back Player of the Year awards in 2016 and 2017, and the 2017 Players’ Player of the Year.

Bailey would continue to be consistent and reliable during both the financially-troubled 2018 season and the renaissance of the club in 2019 after Ryan O’Neill, son of Cougars legend Mick, and his husband Kaue Garcia took ownership of the club.

Bailey remained a solid mainstay in the 2021 season, which would see make his 150th career appearance.

The 2022 season proved a memorable one as Keighley went unbeaten to be promoted as League 1 champions, with Bailey contributing to the historic campaign.

Despite leaving to spend the 2023 season with the Midland Hurricanes, Bailey returned home to Keighley Cougars for the 2024 season.

This is why the RFL, the sport’s governing body, are celebrating his career and loyalty to the club by granting a testimonial year for the forthcoming 12 months.

Bailey has also launched his testimonial website, which can be found by visiting the embedded link.