Keighley Cougars’ owners Ryan O’Neill and Kaue Garcia have today announced the acquisition of Eccleshill United Football Club, which they feel marks a bold and exciting expansion of their community sporting ambitions in the town.

This move brings football into the Cougars family and cements Cougar Park as a shared home for both rugby league and football in Keighley.

As confirmed earlier this year, Eccleshill United will now play their home fixtures at Cougar Park, with the first match there set to take place on Wednesday, August 6.

They will host Tadcaster Albion for a 7:45pm kick-off, in what promises to be a historic evening for local sport.

Kaue Garcia, co-owner of the Keighley Cougars, commented on the acquisition.

He said: “We didn’t want to simply have a tenant relationship with an independent football organisation, as we felt it was important to have an integrated community sporting strategy for the benefit of the town.

“We recognise the responsibility of being a custodian of a sports organisation, so we look forward to developing a great relationship with players, staff and making this a success for the community and the town.”

Outgoing Eccleshill United chairwoman Sally Smith-Butler added: ‘It’s been a pleasure developing a working relationship with both Ryan and Kaue throughout this process of the sale of the club.

“I am pleased to see their commitment to taking on the baton as custodians and will continue to support them during this transition.”

In a club statement, Cougars wrote: “The acquisition aligns with the Cougars’ broader mission to invest in Keighley’s future by strengthening the role of sport in the community.

“With both clubs now under one stewardship, the owners are committed to a shared vision of community engagement, youth development, and sporting excellence.

“Fans are encouraged to attend Eccleshill United’s first home fixture on August 6, and to give the football club the same passionate support Cougars fans are renowned for.”