AN author has written a book about the days Cougarmania swept through the town.

Keighley Cougars attracted thousands of spectators and national acclaim when it spearheaded a groundbreaking transformation within rugby league during the 1990s.

But the club suffered anguish in 1995 when it was denied a place in Super League.

"It was an extraordinarily unfair decision and in my opinion is a historic injustice that has never been put right," says JR – or Jonny – Rickwood, author of Cougarmania: The Untold Story of Rugby League's Greatest Innovators and How the Sport Nearly Destroyed Them.

"The story of Cougarmania for me is one of the truly great stories in the history of sport.

"The innovations were miles ahead of what was the norm."

Mr Rickwood, who now lives in West Wales, grew up in Oxenhope.

"My parents took me to games at Cougar Park and like me are still big fans," he says.

"The decision to write the book came from a conversation with my dad about the Super League exclusion. We were trying to piece together dates, events and the fallout but there wasn’t anything comprehensive available."

The book can be obtained, priced £19.99, via Amazon. Visit cougarmaniabook.com.