Quote ="Michael_Ward"There's still enough interest and excitement to keep me going watching Leigh at Championship level.
However, comparing the period between 1999 and 2004, during which time Leigh were pushing for lower league honours, there was a pathway to the top flight that revolved around winning a competition. Every season there was something very meaningful and exciting to play for.
The current scenario doesn't excite me though: Hypothetically Leigh could win NR Cup tomorrow, which will be great in the here and now. Then with SL ambitions, Leigh could then spend the next 2 1/2 seasons doing nothing much on the field. We'd need to concentrate on the building the business side of things. Then, on some random weekday in 2014 we'll be notified by press release if we've been accepted or not.
I'd be happy, I believe, but as a sports fan it doesn't get my blood pumping.
And it's not even the worst case scenario for getting to SL. Consider that we could follow a very similar path, but replace winning the NR Cup with losing a Grand Final and we can get there without any notable sporting achievements.
And it's all very similar to what has happened at Widnes this time. Widnes have spent 3 seasons being distinctly average at Championship level, but they're going to SL.
I'm sure it was far more exciting for Widnes fans when they won the GF back in 2001.'"
I disagree...after winning the semi-final at Leigh, we were overwhelming favourites to win the GF so, although it was a historic day, it did in the end, feel like a bit of an anti-climax.
On the other hand, THAT Thursday morning at the end of March when we got into Super League was THE most Nerve-wracking time of my life.
Quote It's easy. Pick yourselves up a Steve O'Connor and by-pass the queue. Good on Widnes i say but that is THE ONLY reason they're in.'"
If Halifax had better crowds, a better stadium, and a sounder business plan, then they would be in too!
Quote No they rent a shiny stadium aswell, that also helps.'"
Halton Borough Council have given the club a 99 year lease on the stadium, but considering that site has been the clubs home for more 100 years then, I don't think we'll have any problems keeping hold of it.