Cougarmania : The Untold Story of Rugby League's Great... by J R Rickwood P/B

CougarmaniaThe Untold Story of Rugby League's Greatest Innovators and How the Sport Nearly Destroyed ThemBy J R RickwoodPaperbackAt the start of the 1990s Keighley Rugby League Club was at the lowest point in its 114-year history. The club had finished bottom of the whole of Rugby League in 1987 and attracted just 445 spectators a game to their partially condemned and recently sold; Lawkholme Lane Ground.Keighley would rebrand themselves as the Keighley Cougars and introduce a razzmatazz to Rugby League that would modernise not only the club, but the sport itself. The glitz, glamour and over the top Americanised presentation of Rugby League would create a whirlwind of support within the town and propel the club towards the top of the British game.The unique presentation, innovative marketing and wild support became known as ‘Cougarmania’ and it was a rollercoaster ride that would change the way that Rugby League marketed and presented itself.But then in April 1995, the governing body of Rugby League made a decision that would derail the rollercoaster and once again threaten the very existence of the club. The sport wanted the innovative marketing, presentation and vision of Cougarmania, but did not want Keighley Cougars themselves.This is the untold, epic story of the creation of one of the most marketable brands ever in Rugby League and the events that led to its downfall. It is the epic tale of an era that will be forever known as…. Cougarmania.Featuring material from over 70 new interviews undertaken with key individuals from the era such as: Phil Larder, Peter Roe, Daryl Powell, Maurice Lindsay, Sir Rodney Walker, Gary Hetherington and Professor Tony Collins.