Leigh Centurions are delighted to announce that Stephen O'Dwyer will represent the Club at the Wembley Stadium parade prior to the Tetley's Challenge Cup Final on Saturday 23 August.

A parade will take place immediately prior to the Final, in which all clubs that have competed in this year's competition will be represented by a flag bearer.

Leigh Centurions Head of Rugby Derek Beaumont was in no doubt which supporter should be nominated to represent the Club, and bear the Leigh Centurions flag at this prestigious event.

Stephen, 24, was taken critically ill on the terraces of Owlerton Stadium while watching his beloved Centurions against Sheffield Eagles in May. Since that day he happily made a fine recovery and is back watching the Centurions on a regular basis. He will be accompanied to Wembley by his fiancée Emily Bailey.

Mr Beaumont said "When we were contacted by the RFL to put forward a representative of the Club I immediately thought of Steve. He is an extremely passionate fan who is heavily involved in putting out our flags on game day. His story of survival at Owlerton and his remarkable recovery since is the real success of the year ahead of anything we achieve on the field.

“When me, Paul, Jukesy, Ando and Finny went round to see him once he made it home you could see the life of excitement in his eyes. It is fitting that he enjoys this special moment at Wembley representing the club he loves so strongly and I wanted to turn it into a special occasion for him and his girlfriend by adding travel and accommodation on behalf of the Club to the match tickets provided by the RFL.

“ I have no doubt Ste will wave our flag loud and proud above any other clubs and I hope when he does so he is able to reflect on the importance of his life to those around him who love him so dearly."

Leigh Centurions Head Coach Paul Rowley said: "I think it is a fitting tribute to someone who follows our Club with passion and pride. Stephen had the misfortune to fall poorly that day at Sheffield and the united support of the Rugby League family willed him to get better.

“Happily he has made a remarkable recovery and Stephen will bear our colours with dignity and pride on the biggest stage in the country on the biggest day of the Rugby League calendar."

Fantastic a True Leyther who will represent our Club & Town mighty fine at Wembley.....

Lovely gesture
Bet he buzzing

great news....enjoy your day Stephen.

Fantastic, what a great choice. Well done Ste.

Its what this club is all about !!

Enjoy your day young man !

Fantastic gesture by all involved. Have a great day Stephen

Well earned ,great choice that, enjoy the day Pal,

Absolutely brilliant! That's what being part of this club and a true Leyther is all about! Well done to the club for making a great choice and congratulations Stephen have a great day

Great news, Enjoy the day Stephen

Well done mate, and well done to the club for picking him.

Perfect choice and a classy move by the club.
Well done Stephen and well done Leigh Rugby.

Enjoy yourself Ste. Personally, looking forward to my first away game since my little hiccough in May

Great gesture. I hope he has a cracking day!

Glad to see you are on the mend as well Derek.

Never an easy run out at Batley demon, are you sure about this
One eyed fans on the side terrace screaming forradd all day, telling us were full time and a ref that allows them to slow it down up hill and get away with voluntary tackles down hill
Stay at home pal and watch the corrie omnibus......

NO! You'll have to tie me down. Plus cheesy chips are good for my recovery (not

)

You'll be fine Derek you can always go for jacket spud instead hurt cheesy chip s lol

You forgot the leythers in the Batley team that greatly assist our attempt to seal the league title. Maybe we should let Brown play for Batley, a similar effort to Sean Richardsons would definitely test the ticker

Stephen must be over the moon to be chosen to do this. Next best thing to playing on the great pitch. A fantastic idea by the club also.