Keighley launch Whittel support fund

Keighley have confirmed that they have launched an appeal for funds to help Emmerson Whittel.

Whittel had his jaw broken in an ugly brawl in the Challenge Cup tie against Fryston Warriors, and is subsequently unable to play for around three months.

As he is a student, and playing rugby is his only source of earned income, this has caused issues.

The Cougars’ statement reads:

“As you are all now fully aware, Emmerson sustained a broken jaw in Saturday’s Challenge Cup tie against Fryston Warriors and is out of action for 12 weeks whilst been unable to speak or eat for 6-8 weeks.

“We have today discovered that Emmerson will require surgery to re-align and repair his broken jaw and Keighley Cougars would like to wish Emmerson a successful operation and a speedy recovery.

“Unfortunately this means as Emmerson is currently a student at the University of Huddersfield, being unable to play rugby league for the Cougars means he has now lost his only real source of income.

“Therefore, the club has today made the decision to raise funds for Emmerson in order to allow him to continue living off the field during his absence on it and this will begin with a bucket collection this Sunday at Cougar Park against the North Wales Crusaders.

“In the meantime, we will continue to help the RFL with their ongoing investigation into the unsavoury scenes on Saturday whilst aiding and supporting Emmerson in his recovery.