Leigh Centurions today formally announce the end of the Dual Registration partnership agreement with Wigan Warriors.

The partnership was established early in 2013 to follow RFL policy which only allowed duel registrations to and from a ‘partner club’. These partnerships had to be formally established and approved before any player could be duel registered between two clubs.

However, proposed changes to the Super League format has resulted in the agreement being reconsidered by the Leigh Board of Directors who were appointed after the original partnership was agreed. The decision has not been taken lightly, however it is imperative Leigh Centurions stand on their own two feet as the new season approaches.

The Club would like to place on record their appreciation to Wigan Warriors and in particular their Chairman Ian Lenagan for their understanding and support which has been professional from the outset.

Leigh Chairman John Roddy commented;

“The relationship with Wigan has been mutually beneficial but with proposed changes to Super League and the return to promotion and relegation in whatever form it takes, Leigh Centurions must be independent and capable. The Board of Management have also taken on board a significant number of concerns raised by our supporters, sponsors, and local business community. That negativity, whilst perhaps sometimes unfounded, simply had to be addressed. We look forward to 2014/15 and beyond with massive ambition, but we now need the local community, fans and sponsors to back us and prove to the game they want a Club worthy of Super League status in the future.

Centurions Director Steve Openshaw added;

“I know as much as anyone how much the rivalry means to the Leigh fans all and I admit to being a bit sceptical when the partnership was first announced. However, I have to admit were a number of joint benefits to this partnership behind the scenes that many of the fans won’t have seen. Tom Spencer being one. We had a lot support from the Warriors and the working relationship with them was useful last season especially when we were short on numbers. We thank them for that, but changes in Super League mean we have to move on to the next step on our own. We've built a strong squad for 2014 and stand on our own two feet - we need our loyal fans to back the lads and show the game we have the support to succeed’.

In crystal clear black and white for all to read.

Another very good decision by those who are trying to get this club up the leagues and one that can only be viewed as a positive in the areas where we want to attract fans and sponsors (and players).
Its the most optimistic I've been pre season for many a year about Leigh and what we are trying to achieve, its actually starting to feel like we are now not just going in the right direction but also doing so with a bit of purpose and confidence as well.

Agree completely Jenky. No more excuses for staying away by the doubters. Get behind the lads. Can not wait for the start of the season, not to mention the friendlies. COME ON LEIGH!!!

That's fantastic news. I never really had a problem with our partnership because we used it correctly, unlike some other clubs I could mention; but I'm really glad we are now able to stand on our own two feet.

Well done once again to John Roddy and the Board of Management.

That's great news.



I can't think that any Leigh fan really felt comfortable with the arrangement, although it did fulfill a need at the time.

I agree with Mish on this one.

Anyways hope to see Wysiwyg on the 26 bus to Leigh soon.

Over the past couple of months ive not seen one Negative announcement or bit of News concerning Leigh Centurions , everything is geared up for a good pre-season , and I hope the Fans start to show their appreciation for the Work and Effort everyone at the Club has put in .

There are NO excuses anymore , but I know some will find them , this BOD is the BEST we have had for years , definitely the most open ,Cmon Leythers show you care , I know a few cant afford Season Tickets , or it is not worth it to them because of other commitments , but if you can afford a season Ticker , please do so .Myself I haven't bought one yet , but will be doing in the New Year .

Are you sure about that lobsterfan. Hope you are but lets wait and let it sink in

Where is Wysiwyg by the way not heard him on here for a while?

Yet more great news from our great club.

This is excellent new


This could only of been achieved by our current BOM'S hard earned cash so thank you

Good, never to happen again EVER

The most positive and encouraging statement made by the new BOM to date.

Onwards and upwards !!

Another excuse not to go cancelled out. Well done BOM.

Another bit of great news. I was never one saying it was the end of the club but always thought the partnership cost us more than we got out of it, very glad to see it gone. Agree that if we want to aim for promotion we need to be able to stand on our own and the quality and size of the squad we've got now certainly looks as if it'll do that.

halifookinlujah


How hard was it to announce this during the summer

Hopefully this shameful stain will be washed from our history

Fair enough but lets be honest the most Leythers who turned up last season was at the NRC Final.

We had a paper thin squad and without Spenner and another Wigan prop who played in our NRC quarter final at Fev we would not have made the Final.


Anyways what's past is past next season may well see our club surpass all our expectations.

Quite frankly this is our best team squad for a quarter of a century.

superb news.....WE HATE WIGAN !

I wasn't 100% comfortable with the partnership TBH but it was needed at the time & it was used correctly. I honestly believe the last BOD did a good with limited finances but now our new BOM have collectively used their own cash to take our club forward. There's 3 positive things take from using DR's at least- Tom Armstrong's NRC final winning try & the signing of Kes & Spenner

Let's be clear here the Partnership was something that had its benefits to our club and coaching staff in particular, indeed it had far more benefits to us a club than it did Wigan in all honesty.

We as a Board and club have 100% respect for the help and support Ian and the guys over at Wigan have shown and it's clear we have broken away from the Partnership in a respectful professional manner as we aim to keep the very strong professional relationship between our clubs in place however in the same breath in order to be a top club in our right we simply cannot partner or play second fiddle to ANYONE let alone our biggest and most ancient rivals!

As a Board are doing what is right for the greater good of the club and town as a whole not just what we feel the fans want us to do to boost crowds. When I came onto the board we came together not as a life support and to keep the club going but with the aim of moving it forward and at pace while laying long term structures and plans along the way. I've always felt we had put together a Board of primarily Leigh people and Leigh fans who will always do what's best for the club we all love and will represent the fans and people of the town and community.

Bottom line is we've invested in giving Paul a squad strong enough to put us in a position were by we rely on nobody but ourselves and our resources will be boosted by having a strong U20s squad and massively improved and strong links to OUR community as this is the vehicle to offer a pathway to the young people of Leigh and surrounding areas. We will build a successful club by looking after our own and working with people. The links we are building with our community partners should mean that the best talent in the whole community from what you would call the big two East & Miners out to clubs like Culcheth Eagles, Westhoughton Lions, Bolton Mets and Golborne Parkside and even through Leigh RU to name a few will become to identify Leigh Centurions as the community's professional institution and be able to draw on resources and the support we will give them. We aim to create the ultimate community club at Leigh and it will take time and we are under no illusions but the process has started and we are willing to put the hard work and time in to succeed.

Anyway back on topic it's another excuse to stay in the pub and not attend games gone so hopefully those who really were staying away will take advantage of the ST offer and get back behind us now?

I cannot express enough we as a Board cannot fund this vision on our own and if Leigh people really do want the dream to become reality we need Bums on Seats it is really that simple.

Best Wishes

Andy Mazey

Terry that's a bit of a harsh view



, as you might know next year Dick Jones and myself are going to try to arrange a Boxing Tournament , for LISA , it will be a Leigh v Wigan Fight Night ,one of the Bouts will be a Leigh fan against a Wigan fan ,can I put you down as the Leigh fan ?You will be trained by a professional trainer , and a chance to vent your anger

.

well said andy..

As a club we definitely had the advantage in the 'partnership' if people are thinking about the Sam Hopkins Transfer, couldn't Wigan have just waited until the end of the season and got him for 'nowt'? whereas it is we got a nice tidy sum, we also got use of some good players - remember Scott Taylors input at Fev? - not to mention having first 'dibs' at Tom Spencer.
Im not sad nor am I happy over the ending of the partnership, it worked for us when it was needed and we got a couple of good players off the back of it.

Totaly agree Fred.

In today's trade press, Tony Smith of Warrington Lions, moans that the Championship clubs never treated the partnership agreements properly - presumably he means like Swinton did? So, whatever we thought of 'partnering' with Wigan, it could have been worse, had the likes of Smith got his way.

He also reckons that P&R will weaken SL - as distinct from having 2 to 3 SL clubs going bust every season, and just hanging in there to make up the numbers, I assume.

Please