The problem I seem to have is that I don't see SL as the be-all and end-all of rugby league. I kind of like being able to stand, have a beer in a decent bar, room to move around...

if all it's about is getting into SL, I think we've all pretty much sold our souls anyway. From there, selling the name and identity is just a small step.

Remember that our whole revival as a club in the early 90's kicked in when the directors allowed our fans to vote on a new name which gave us the [i"Keighley Cougars"[/i we know today.



When stupidleague was first mooted and we were refused entry, I seem to remember all sorts of last minute proposals by Smith and O'Neil including us playing out of Turf Moor and a change of name to the [i"Pennine Cougars"[/i. As directors they were trying to assure the best future for the club in difficult circumstances.



Now, if someone could come up with a firm business plan that would benefit the long term future of the club, allow us to improve our infrastructure, facilities (stadium), and players and continue the fantastic work in the community, then we would be foolish not to consider it.



For what it's worth, I'm not fussed about superleague. Don't get me wrong, I'd love it if we could build the club to a point where we could qualify and compete, and let's face it if Castleford, a small town near Wakefield, can do it then why can't we?



Like Mick has said, I enjoy the whole social experience of championship rugby and any name change offer would have to be something amazing to make me want to agree.

I for one am sick of championship rugby.

I want to see Cougars playing the best in the land.



I have great days. going to see SL games and meeting mates i have from those clubs.



Dreamer you can still enjoy the whole social experience, its just as good in SL.

When I first moved back up here from dahn sahf, that wasn't my experience! We spent a season watching the Bulls

and it didn't really click.

And yet here we are, week in and week out, at Cougar Park...

I'm not sure to be honest.



I'd certainly feel disenfranchised from the club. Would an unprecidented level of sucess change that? I doubt it.

Apart from the likes of Cas and Wakey and possibly Salford , who the RFL really want to be rid of anywhere ...then no, its nowhere near the same in SL.



Go to Wigan , Saints or Leeds , are you truly telling me that the everyday Supporters can mingle with the players ??



Go to Headingley, Odsal , Huddersfield , or the KC and you'll be served beer in a plastic bottle at inflated prices by a different person week in week out....



Even in the Championship we are seeing the same ,as the RFL pressure clubs away from the traditional grounds and down the multi use / all seater routes you can add Doncaster to that list , along with Leigh , Widnes and Fax as well .We are not football and its time the RFL realised that , with petty rules, over officious stewards/ security and rip off prices prevalent in the new venues , along with soulless atmospheres.



For my mind the level we should be aiming at is where Featherstone are at now, Post Office Road is a cracking little ground , with facilities to cope for 7,000 plus spectators , without alienating the core support and now a team that is challenging at the top of the Championship.



The only exception I'd add to all this is Harlequins , much as I'm an RL supporter , union clubs have a reputation of whatever level they reach of always attempting to keep that sense of 'community ' amongst their support and the RL arm at the Stoop appears to have carried on this tradition, it they can do it wht=y cant others

We tried this calling ourselves after a bank, but then they went bust, .

I understand your frustration but I could not agree to sell our souls cheaply. It would have to be something special that would retain our friendly identity, family bar, and ability to wander around the ground at will. I would certainly want a proportion of the ground to remain standing, not some uncomfortable plastic monstrosity run by a "stadium management company".



I want to see our club play at the highest level that is possible to sustain. If reality says that that might not be super league then I am not in the slightest bit bothered, but I would be happy to support a board that could make it happen.



I have been to many super league stadia and some are just uncomfortable and soul-less with bars like concrete bunkers. It seems that most of the fans from these clubs meet in bars away from the ground which, to me, takes so much away from what a good club should be.

Rach I hear what you are saying, I am a former season ticket holder for London Broncos/Quins and much as they talk about a strong community base etc they only have a hard core of 2500 suporters, as a Cougars fan we have it alright (as with most of life communication is a problem although improving due to you) and as for grounds my favourite S L ground (that meets the current specs) in Warrington which is half sitting and half standing.

Neil

Plus the HJ is close to the action much like Cougar Park.

The HJ doesn't have a decent supporter's bar though, just a soulless concrete concourse - don't they WANT people to drink there???

And remember what happened when we were there?



We drank the place dry!