Keighley Cougars chairman Gary Fawcett has confirmed that the club is seeking to make cost reductions in light of relegation this season – but insists they will not be made on the pitch.

In a statement on the club’s official website, Fawcett (pictured) said: “These (reductions) are necessary in order to ensure the club bounces back immediately into the Championship and does not repeat what’s happened in the past.

“As a result, the focus of the club next season will be success on the pitch in the most cost effective way it can manage.”

Despite coming down after just one season in the second tier, having been severely hindered by a nine-point penalty after going into administration, Fawcett reiterated his desire to see Cougars in the Super League.

He said: “We aim to be the champions of Champion-ship One next season and this will only be the start of the five-year journey which will, if my aspirations come true, end in entry to the Super League.

“The town des-erves it and the club, and its loyal and long suffering fans, deserve it.

“To achieve this goal we need to retain our key players and this has had a knock-on effect into other areas within the club.

“Rest assured, this has not affected the strength of our team for next season but in order to ensure we get to this exciting point, the club has to manage its costs in a sensible and appropriate way.”