Former Whitehaven scrum-half Alex Bishop could be back playing his rugby in the county again next season.
He is one of eight players who Keighley Cougars say will be leaving the club now the season has been completed.
Keighley were surprisingly beaten by Hunslet in the League One play-off final and the Leeds side went on to beat Swinton Lions to earn promotion to the Championship.
Failure to go up to the Championship has been a bitter blow to the Cougars but they are already reshaping their squad for 2025 with sweeping changes.
Bishop, along with fellow Aussie Kyle Kesik, have requested releases from their pre-agreed contracts for 2025. Bishop, who has been operating at hooker for Keighley, says he could not commit to that, given his commute from Cumbria to Keighley.
His partner is from Whitehaven and he works at Sellafield and since news of his release was made public he has been linked with a move to Barrow Raiders.
He was with Whitehaven in the 2022 and 2023 seasons and his appearances were limited to just 17 because of a really bad knee injury he picked up in a Challenge Cup-tie against St Helens.
Long-serving Kesik’s departure comes after a lengthy five-year spell at Cougar Park.
Oscar Thomas, a player who has represented both Whitehaven and Workington, is among the eight players that will be leaving Keighley when their contract expires next month.
Cougars said that following a review of their 2025 playing group, they were unable to offer him terms for next year.
Second row and skipper Ellis Robson will be another heading for the exit as his contract for next season was dependent on Cougars being in the Championship.
But with Keighley losing the play-off final to Hunslet, and after reviewing their budget, Cougars declared themselves unable to offer Robson new terms.
Centre Charlie Graham is leaving after being snapped up by a Championship club for next year while winger Ben Blackmore has retired to focus on his work commitments. Prop Will Maher is also leaving Lawkholme Lane after securing a job at a school in Castleford.
Back row Mitch Revell has returned to Villeneuve in France to continue his career in the French Elite leagues with a view to returning to his native Australia in the future.
