Leigh Centurions V Toronto Wolfpack
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Leigh Centurions SUNDAYv Toronto 24TH FEBRUARY Wolfpack 2019 @ 3PM # LEYTHERS # OURTOWNOURCLUB# OURTOWNOURCLUB # LEYTHERS # OURTOWNOURCLUB# OURTOWNOURCLUB summarising and it’s always great to see him. Terry and me go back a long way and in fact I think I was the first person to interview him when he making his way in the ranks of Welcome to Leigh Sports Village for this Saints staff come along to watch and support Salford over 20 years ago. We’ve been good afternoon’s game against Toronto them. friends ever since. Terry applies the same FROMWolfpack. THELast Sunday TommyTOP Martyn, Paul Wellens, hard work and dedication he showed during It promises to be another great game of Ian Talbot and chief scout Dave Woods his playing days to his role as summariser Rugby League as the Betfred Championship watched the Fev game and CEO Mike Rush and his attention to detail and depth of continues to provide great entertainment and head coach Justin Holbrook were at the knowledge is excellent. every week. Toulouse game. Another person I hold in high regard is Jon A lot has happened at our great club since Jack Ashworth was outstanding in the Wilkin, who sadly misses today’s game due Toronto opened the 2018 campaign at LSV. Toulouse game and has carried on that form to suspension. In the days when I hosted an Here we are just over a year on with a now since. Luke Douglas completed a fantastic hour-long Rugby league programme on BBC part-time squad and a vastly reduced playing month’s loan spell in which he’s led from the Radio Lancashire Jon was a regular guest budget. front. The joy on his face when he scored that and a fantastic ambassador for the game. He retains his great enthusiasm for the game But the team and the squad is gelling try against Fev, crafted by Micky Higham’s deft footwork, was a sight to behold. and has enjoyed a stellar playing career while together really nicely and from talking to also developing a successful business and spectators at home and away games I know Aaron Smith scored his first try for Leigh against Fev and must have learned so much, becoming an excellent guest on BBC how enthused they are by the way John Duffy television. has shaped the current team. playing and training alongside Micky Higham, It was great to catch up with Jon at the When you think that on the first of November a former Saints legend of course, who celebrated 20 years in the professional game Championship launch at York recently and I we had only two signed-on players, neither of wish him every success in his new career as whom is still at the club, the way Duffy has by leading from the front as usual. And Matty Costello has already forged a fine partnership captain of the Wolfpack after 15 years of shaped the team in such a short space of great success at St Helens. time is nothing short of remarkable. with Jonny Pownall on the right. Thanks to all the fans for the great support so I’ve been fortunate enough to see at first Daniel Richardson, a member of the 2018 Super League Dream Team, slotted straight in far in 2019 and to our fantastic sponsors. It’s hand the dedicated way the players and great to see so many ex-players regularly backroom staff have prepared for the season on his Leigh debut last week earning heritage number #1480 and his partnership with coming to games and Des Drummond’s wide and the fantastic team spirit and smile and great enthusiasm for the game togetherness that exists within the camp. Martyn Ridyard was instrumental in Leigh’s second half revival. remains undimmed. From the gruelling Saturday morning ................................................................... sessions pre-Christmas on the West Pennine Andy Thornley celebrated 200 pro games with a typically all-action display against Fev On a sad note, the recent passing of Moors to the nightly sessions at LSV the John Cooke saw the town and game players and staff turn up ready to give their despite sporting a bandage and requiring stitches after the game and it was great to lose another great stalwart who lived all, week in and week out and the Leigh fans and breathed rugby league. have already really connected with the see Gregg McNally celebrate his 150th Leigh John never played for Leigh, though he came players and the team. game with a trademark try. I just hope that Gregg is soon back in action after injury as close on occasions, but enjoyed a long That’s been evident in the first two home he’s had rotten luck in the last few years and professional career and I remember seeing games with the noise of the North Stand deserves a better run of fortune. him on many occasions with Swinton, for something else as they cheered the team to ................................................................... whom he played nearly 200 games in the victories against two very good teams in I sat with the RFL Chairman Brian 1970s. He was a fantastic servant to the Toulouse and Featherstone Rovers. Barwick at the Fev game and he was Leigh Miners club and put so much back into The Saints players have continued to make greatly impressed by the quality of the the grass roots of a game he loved. Our massive contributions and their skill and game and by how splendid the stadium heartfelt sympathies are extended to his professionalism has been evident. looked bathed in sunshine on a glorious family and friends. It’s great that at each game a deputation of February afternoon with the North Stand Mike Latham, Chairman in full voice. It was a privilege to be in his company for a couple of hours and his passion and respect for the game shone though during our conversations as well as his admiration for way our club projected itself that day. Norman Turley did a great job hosting Premier Club where Gill Wood has really added a touch of magic with her all-round skills, while ex-Great Britain star Bill Ashurst was another fabulous guest. It’ll be good to welcome Sky Sports this afternoon as the game is shown world-wide, tremendous exposure for the Championship. Des Drummond Terry O’Connor will doubtless be Andy Thornley on his 200th appearance • THE OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME OF LEIGH CENTURIONS RLFC THE CENTURION 3 # LEYTHERS # OURTOWNOURCLUB# OURTOWNOURCLUB # LEYTHERS # OURTOWNOURCLUB# OURTOWNOURCLUB HONOURSWinter era (1895-96 to 1995-96) WHO’S WHO Championship Winners: AT LEIGH CENTURIONS 1905-06, 1981-82 Owner Retail Outlet Manager Division Two Champions: Mr Derek Beaumont Ms Gillian Jolley 1977-78, 1985-86, 1988-89 Operational Board Of Directors IT Manager Challenge Cup Winners: 1921, 1971 Mr Michael Latham (Chairman) Mr Andrew Parkinson COACH’SThe second 40 we wereCOLUMN outstanding. That was the disappointing thing for Mr Jason Huyton Club Ambassador Lancashire Cup Winners: HEAD COACH JOHN DUFFY Mr Steve Hill Mr Alex Murphy OBE 1952, 1955, 1970, 1981 We were at 100 percent yardage and me at half-time of the Fev game. For Chief Executive Official Club Photographers (runners-up 1909, 1920, 1922, 1949, 96 with the ball and it just shows we all that effort and commitment they’d Mr Matthew Chantler Mr Jerry Lyons 1951, 1963, 1969) can do. I think they had 16 back to shown preparing for the game the Honorary Life President BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Winners: back sets in that first half and we had players hadn’t done themselves Mr Brian Bowman SuperLeigh (Hilton Park Society) 1969, 1972 (runners-up 1968, 1976) a lot of defending to do. We will have to justice. Honorary Vice President Manager South West Lancashire & Border Towns Cup Winners: 1901 work at that. Every single minute I know how hard they train and that’s Mr Andy Burnham Ms Christine Brown means something to us. Assistant Manager ITA TV Trophy runners-up 1955 why I was pretty angry. We didn’t stick Life Members Mr Jonathan Simpkin Summer era (1996 to date) In the second half every player did as to our game plan and paid the price Mr Tommy Coleman Co-Ordinator Promotion to Super League: they were asked and it showed what but we turned it around. 2004,2016 Dr Morris Doublet-Stewart Mr Paul Robinson we can do as a team when everyone League Leaders: This week we know we will have to be Mr Michael Latham Premiership 2001, does their job. We’ve got to take the on our game from the first minute to Mr John Massey Leigh Community Trust National League One 2004, positives and also learn from the Mr Steve Openshaw Programmes Director the last to be competitive against a Championship 2014,2015,2016 negatives in that first half. I’m sure we Mr Fred Parkinson Ms Hannah Forbes very good and talented side. It’s a Grand Final Winners: will come back stronger for a very, very Mr Alan Platt Community Manager challenge we’re looking forward to. National League One 2004, tough tie against a champion team this Mr Frank Taylor Ms Heather Parker-Preece Championship 2014 The Championship has already shown Mr John Woods Youth Mental Health Officers week. (runners-up: Premiership 2000, 2002, .......................................................... itself to be a fantastic competition this Mr Mick Nanyn National League One 2003) We complete our first month of year and it’s really hard to predict any Head Coach Mr Michael Ostick National league Cup Winners: competitive fixtures this afternoon Toronto have quality all across the result with confidence.