Kick off to the most important season in our recent history!
Seems the funding for 2015 for top two finish is massive compared to 3rd down , plus finishing top two give us a great chance of competing with the like 's of Wakey Cas Bradford London maybe the season after in "SL2" or whatever they'll call it .
What's everyone's hopes and thoughts on this game and the campaign ?

It's not going to be easy , we have recruited well but so have Fax, Fev and Sheffield are strong and a few other teams may have a few surprises up their sleeves.
One thing I know is , that it will be exciting.

Just need more fans in to see the team play. Crowds of 2500-3500 could be achieve able
Anyone have any ideas on how this can be done?

This season there is nowhere to hide, last season was no money, scraped a team together, paying of old debts, ect ect.
So this season none of the above shouldn't impact on the results and how we play.
With all the hard work, dedication, commitment the bom and everybody else has put into trying to get a successful team has been fantastic.
Lets hope PR can show us/me that he really does have what it takes to take us forward and beyond.
Like i said no hiding place this season.

This is all in the hands of the coach and his players. If we start off competetive and play open, entertaining rugby then we'll get the crowds back. If we start off bad, we'll be stuck with the same old faithfuls. We can't blame the public of Leigh for not supporting the club. The club have to give the public of Leigh something to support.

We need a huge gate v Batley, a great performance and a big win - the rest will follow but it won't be easy against a Kerr side
I expect Batley to be well up for this game and to bring 500 or so in a 2500 gate

It's a massive season for us on the pitch as a top two spot this year allows us to be mixing for a shot at the big time next year in the new structure and I see no reason why we can't be in the 4th v 5th playoff in the middle tier in 2015 and who knows pull off an upset in a one off game and we get 1.825 mil funding and 23 rounds in super league in 2016!

The beauty of this new structure IMO is the increased competition and interest in the game generally will help us grow our fan base and continue the commercial growth strategy. Being debt free now and and a well run professional club with the goal at all times remaining a sustainable business model the new structure means no need to go for broke for SL overnight like the old days we can continue to build steadily and keep the team together even if dropping back out of SL back into middle 8 you have the chance to come straight back up. Exciting times folks! It all starts this season and I think we are where we need to be and better placed than the others in our division both on and off the pitch IMO.

We respect all but fear no one.

Let's embrace it and enjoy!!!

Exciting times! Both on and off the pitch.

Let's get going!

Apparently and it was said at a recent LISA meeting, other than one player the BOD have secured every player Paul has identified for this campaign. Therefore in that respect we have recruited superbly.

The importance of finishing in the top 2 and the big advantage the substantial cash injection will give us can not be under stated. No excuses, anything less will represent a huge failure for me.

We are still a good centre short IMO but I am no coach. I do think however 2014 will (and should) be our year !

You must be looking forward to divvying up the increased Salary Cap next season. One whole million pounds!!

Not quite sure what you mean mate?

Perhaps Derek thinks we will finish first AND second?

The public will take time to soak in the new changes which start next season,the RFL need to give this new format at least 10 years for it to work.

The first couple of season may result in the teams in the 2nd 8 getting thumped by there super league drop down oppositition and nothing really changing and that is the worry

It needs leigh fax or feath to break through in the first couple of years or the drop down super league clubs will argue it doing them harm as there crowds are dropping due to them trotting out massive wins and they go back up each year

All in all 3 massive seasons coming up

I think he's referring to the fact any club turning over in excess of 2.5m in the Championship will have a salary cap of 1m.

Can't see any team outside of SL turning over 2.5m.

You need to speak to Widnes Andy, because they claimed a turnover well in excess whilst in their last yaer in the Championship.....although someone said it was to do with a charitable trust



.....and yes Andy that is what I was referring to. Come on Alan you are starting to sound like the inhabitants of the VT who generally seem to fail to understand the plain English of press releases etc etc

I'd be very surprised if Widnes were turning over 2.5m even now mate.

Latest set of trading accounts for Widnes Sporting Ltd don't look to healthy and net worth of the business was -1m.

No wonder Mr Betts was so anti change with the liabilities they seemingly have a drop into the second tier and reduction in funding would mostly likely put them back in the mire again.

That's what becomes of being involved in 'Communications' Derek.

Is there the Playoffs & Grand Final this season?

There is.