A FESTIVAL of live music is being staged at Keighley Cougars' ground next weekend in memory of a club legend.

The extravaganza, on Saturday, July 1, is raising funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, in tribute to Phil Stephenson.

Phil died in September, 2019, after a four-year battle against the disease.

The Cougar Fest event is being organised by Darren Lynam and Ryan Hanson, who were behind last year's hugely successful Quarry Fest music event, with support from Phil's widow Karen Stephenson.

Gates will open at noon and the festival will continue until late.

Eleven bands and other performers are lined up for the event, including Disco Machine Gun, Cressa, The Afterglow, Casino Havana, No Big Deal, Hit the Lights, Liam Jarviss, The Rock Choir, Brotherhud DJ Sets and The Jackals.

The family event will also include bars, a barbecue, stalls and children's entertainment.

Tickets are £12 on the gates, with children admitted free.

All proceeds will go to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Karen says: "Raising funds for the association is so vitally important to those with motor neurone disease and their families.

"The charity was absolutely invaluable to us, offering support when everything was so difficult, and providing us with specialist equipment when Phil could no longer walk or talk to improve his quality of life.

"Phil faced the disease as he faced everything in his life, with a positive outlook and the knowledge that he'd been so lucky – he'd had an amazing rugby career, and had amazing family and friends.

"Through all the challenges he faced, he would always say there's something to smile about.

"I was so proud of him."

Phil, who was 47, played more than 340 times for the Cougars through the glory years of 'Cougarmania' in the 1990s, until his retirement at the end of the 2006 season and his induction into the club’s Hall of Fame.

He had joined Keighley from Clayton Amateur Rugby League Club and also played for Silsden ARLFC after retiring from the semi-professional game.

For more about the music festival, visit facebook.com/events/s/cougar-fest/1288166388443862.

Motor neurone disease, also known as MND, sees messages from the motor neurones found in the brain and spinal cord gradually stop reaching the muscles.

This leads the muscles to weaken, stiffen and waste.

There is currently no cure.

For further information about the disease and the work of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, visit mndassociation.org.