A CONVOY of supporters is heading north today for a massive game as Keighley Cougars bid for promotion to the rugby league Betfred Championship.

The Lawkholme side is travelling to Workington Town for the League One play-off semi-final, which kicks off at 2pm.

And if the Cougars are victorious, they will secure home advantage in the final on Sunday, October 10.

"If we can progress to the final and then win promotion to the Championship it will be a huge boost for the club – and the town," says Cougars director, Ryan O'Neill. "We would be playing the likes of Bradford Bulls, Toulouse and York.

"It is a crucially-important season as the leagues are going to be restructured in 2022 – with a reduction in Sky TV sponsorship to the sport, meaning that income for lower clubs is likely to be hugely reduced.

"Given the importance of the play-off games, it has created a surge in interest in the town."

Several coachloads of fans are travelling to Cumbria. Cougars agreed to subsidise the cost of the travel to cap the price at £5 per passenger.

* POSTSCRIPT: Cougars narrowly lost the game 18-16, after extra time. A full report will follow