Leigh Centurions
Encyclopedia
Leigh Centurions is an English professional rugby league
club based in Leigh
, Greater Manchester
who play in the Co-operative Championship.
The club was founded in 1878 as Leigh Rugby Football Club and is one of the original twenty-two clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union
in 1895.
Leigh have been Rugby League Champions twice, in 1906 and 1982, and won the Challenge Cup
twice, in 1921 and 1971.
The club adopted the name Centurions for the 1995–96 season.
The club was founded in 1878 and initially played at Buck's Farm, Pennington. Leigh played at several minor grounds before moving to Mather Lane in 1889. As a founder member of the Northern Union
in 1895, the first season of the new game kicked off in September with Leigh recording a 6-3 loss against Leeds
. Leigh finished ninth overall that season.
In 1906, Leigh became Northern Union champions after a season with an 80% win rate. Many clubs complained that Leigh had provided themselves with an easy fixture list, ducking the challenge of the stronger clubs, as a result play-offs were brought in.
The club's next major success came in 1921 when it won the Challenge Cup
with a shock 13-0 victory over Halifax
at the Cliff
in Broughton
, Salford. In 1934, they played under floodlights for the first time, losing 8-25 at London Highfield.
During the Second World War, the club was forced to leave its ground as the adjacent BICC cable factory extended onto the land. The townsfolk of Leigh, acting on chairman James Hilton
's inspiration, cleared some fields on the edge of the town, and built a new stadium and moved and rebuilt the grandstand from the old ground. Players at this time included Albert Ashton, father of England national rugby union team
coach Brian Ashton
. In 1941–42, Leigh left the wartime Lancashire league and did not return to the league until 1946–47 when they played at the Athletic Ground, Holden Road.
headquarters and in 1953 floodlights were installed at a cost of £4,100. The ground saw a record home crowd of 31,326 attend a Challenge Cup
tie with St Helens in the same year. Later, Kirkhall Lane was officially renamed Hilton Park after James Hilton
.
Leigh signed Jimmy Ledgard
from Dewsbury
in January 1948 for a then record fee of £2,650.
On Saturday 27 October 1951, 33,230 spectators saw Leigh lose 14-6 to Wigan
in the final of the Lancashire Cup
at Station Road, Swinton
.
Leigh and Bradford Northern
were the first rugby league clubs to stage matches on a Sunday in December 1954, although there was opposition from the Sunday Observance lobby.
The 1955–56 season saw the introduction of a tournament titled the ITV Rediffusion Cup
. Eight clubs participated in a series of games played at football grounds in the London area, with Warrington
eventually running out 43-18 victors over Leigh at Loftus Road
.
Alex Murphy
joined Leigh as player-coach. In 1971, Leigh reached the Rugby League Challenge Cup
final and defeated Leeds
, 24-7. Murphy left Leigh on 20 May 1971 to become player-coach at Warrington.
In 1978, John Woods
played and scored in every game as Leigh secured the Second Division. In 1982, Leigh were Champions for the second time, as Alex Murphy guided them to a tense 13-4 victory at Whitehaven
, after Leigh trailed 4-1 at half time.
The 1981–82 season was memorable as the club lifted the Lancashire Cup
and ended the campaign as winners of the Championship for the second time in their history.
Leigh won the Second Division Championship in 1985–86, losing one league match and won it again in the 1988–89 season. For the 1990-91 season the club adopted the nickname the Bears, adding a bears emblem to the right breast of the club jerseys. The nickname was only used for one season and did not prove popular.
In January 1991, the club tried to sell its ground to ease cash problems. A consortium offered £200,000 to take over Leigh but the club ended up in administration. Swinton
offered to ground share, Station Road, to help Leigh but this offer was refused. In July, former player Bobby Hope, stepped in with a bid to save Leigh.
In December 1994, Ian Lucas
became head coach of Leigh, the youngest senior coach in the game.
In 1995, the football club Horwich RMI made the decision to move from Horwich
, near Bolton
, to Hilton Park, changing their name to Leigh RMI in the process. As part of the deal a new company, Grundy Hill Estates, was formed to take over the ownership of the ground. Leigh added "Centurions" to their name for the 1995-96 season.
season and changed from a winter to a summer season. As the sport in Britain entered a new era, it was eight years before Leigh gained promotion to the top level of the game.
In April 1996, Eric Hughes
was appointed head coach replacing Ian Lucas who was sacked after Leigh had won only one of its first five games of the season. Hughes was replaced by Keith Latham who was in charge until 1998. Norman Turley was head coach in 1998.
In 1998 Ian Millward
was appointed head coach. Leigh came close to relegation to the game's third tier. Under Millward, they were turned into promotion contenders. Millward left in 2000 to coach St Helens after the sacking of Ellery Hanley
.
Australian Paul Terzis
was coach of Leigh from 1999 to 2003. His reign was notable for a number of 'near misses' as Leigh attempted to win promotion to Super League. In 2001 Leigh recorded a shock Challenge Cup victory over Super League Salford
, finished 9 points clear at the top of the Northern Ford Premiership and claimed the Trans-Pennine Cup. However, Leigh were defeated in the play-off semi-finals and Widnes
went on to win the Grand Final and a place in Super League.
In 2002 and 2003, the relegated Super League sides, Huddersfield
and Salford
remained fully professional teams. Thus, their full-time fitness and coaching led to defeat in successive grand finals for Leigh.
In October 2003, Darren Abram
was appointed head coach, with a view to taking them into Super League. When Halifax
were relegated to play in the 2004 National League competition, their financial troubles meant they were unable to retain a full-time team and struggled, paving the way for Leigh to go about achieving their dream. Whitehaven
were the opponents when Leigh won the National League One Grand Final
32-16 (after extra time, 16-16 at full-time) in 2004, thus securing promotion to Super League
.
Leigh's Super League season of 2005 proved a disaster and the club were relegated to National League One after winning just two games. Abram resigned in August 2005 after a disagreement with the board, who felt unable to offer him the full-time contract he wanted for 2006 if the club were not in Super League.
New Zealander Tony Benson
, was appointed head coach in September 2005. Leigh's relegation from Super League had been all but confirmed at the time of his appointment. In July 2006, Leigh won the Northern Rail Cup after defeating Hull Kingston Rovers
22-18 at Bloomfield Road
, Blackpool. It was the second time the club had won that particular trophy having also triumphed in the 2004 final against the same opposition.
Following Leigh's 23-22 defeat to Batley
in the 2006 NL1 play offs, the club's future was thrown into doubt. The club's owners decided to part company with Tony Benson
causing some of the back room staff and management to resign in support of their colleague. The uncertainty also caused a number of the club's playing staff to leave.
Darren Shaw
was appointed as coach of the club in October 2006 to replace Benson. However it was found that Darren Shaw
did not have the necessary qualifications to coach at this level and he was moved to the position of Football Manager, while assistant coach Paul Rowley was appointed as First Team Coach.
In January 2007, the club announced it would drop the Centurions name ahead of its move to a new stadium at Leigh Sports Village
. The club changed the name of its stadium back to Hilton Park after re-naming it the Coliseum a number of years earlier. However, due to an influx of letters, e-mails and telephone calls from Leigh supporters asking the club to re-think its decision; this decision was reversed in May.
Darren Shaw's first full season in charge of Leigh ended with a 19-6 play off defeat away to Whitehaven. Leigh's 2007 season was one dogged by inconsistency. Convincing wins were often followed by heavy defeats as Shaw was forced to field a number of youngsters due to injury problems. The unsettled nature of the side in 2007 was reflected by the fact that Shaw gave debuts to over 20 players over the course of the season.
Despite the disappointing end to the 2007 season, Shaw was given a contract to coach Leigh for the 2008 season. After a promising start to the 2008 season, Shaw tendered his resignation following defeats to Salford, Widnes and Featherstone Rovers
. Darren Shaw was replaced by Neil Kelly.
In April 2009, Neil Kelly took up the position of Director of Rugby at the club and his assistant Paul Rowley became head coach. Simon Knox became assistant coach.
At the end of the 2009 season, despite winning a 'must win' game at home to Whitehaven 47-14 other results went against Leigh and they were relegated to Championship 1. Leigh were reinstated into Co-operative Championship on 11 November 2009 after the RFL Board took the decision after Gateshead Thunder
's chairman Steve Garside wound up Gateshead and Newcastle Rugby Ltd.
Ian Millward returned as the club's head coach for 2010, Leigh took advantage of their reprieve and had a terrific season, finishing in third place in the Co-Operative Championship before losing at home in the play-offs to Sheffield Eagles, whilst also reaching the semi finals of the Northern Rail Cup before being knocked out by eventual winners Batley Bulldogs.
The 2011 season saw Leigh start as league pacesetters losing their first league game of the season in early June at home to Halifax. That defeat was more than made up for by defeating Halifax 20-16 in the final of the Northern Rail Cup at Blackpool's Bloomfield Road on Sunday 17th July 2011 afer a match-winning try in the final 30 seconds of a thrilling encounter from young centre Tom Armstrong.
complex was shared with Leigh Genesis football club. The old ground at Hilton Park has been demolished and the land sold for housing development. It is hoped that the new stadium will be the cornerstone of Leigh's application for a Super League
franchise in the coming years.
The first game to be played at Leigh Sports Village took place on 28 December 2008. The friendly match against Salford
was held as a ramp up event in order for the stadium management company to gain a full safety certificate.
On Thursday 21 May 2009, the Queen
and Prince Phillip visited the region to officially open Leigh Sports Village
.
1971: Peter Smethurst
1971–1972: Derek Hurt
1972–1974: Les Pearce
1974–1975: Eddie Cheetham
1975–1977: Kevin Ashcroft
1977: Bill Kindon
1977–1978: John Mantle
1978–1980: Tom Grainey
1980–1982: Alex Murphy
1982: Colin Clarke
1982–1983: Peter Smethurst
1983–1984: Tommy Bishop
1984–1985: John Woods
1985: Alex Murphy
1985–1986: Tommy Dickens
1986–1990: William "Billy" Benyon
1990–1991: Alex Murphy
1991–1992: Kevin Ashcroft
1992: Jim Crellin
1992–1994: Steve Simms
1994: Denis Ramsdale
1994–1996: Ian Lucas
1996: Eric Hughes
1996–1998: Keith Latham
1998: Norman Turley
1998–2000: Ian Millward
2000–2003: Paul Terzis
2003–2005: Darren Abram
2005–2006: Tony Benson
2006–2008: Darren Shaw
2008–2009: Neil Kelly
2009- Paul Rowley
2009–present: Ian Millward
, are "Hall of Fame" inductees, played during Leigh Centurions' Super League
season, or were international representatives before, or after, their time at Leigh.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
club based in Leigh
Leigh, Greater Manchester
Leigh is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, in Greater Manchester, England. It is southeast of Wigan, and west of Manchester. Leigh is situated on low lying land to the north west of Chat Moss....
, Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the...
who play in the Co-operative Championship.
The club was founded in 1878 as Leigh Rugby Football Club and is one of the original twenty-two clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union
Rugby Football League
The Rugby Football League is the governing body for professional rugby league football in England. Based at Red Hall in Leeds, it administers the England national rugby league team, the Challenge Cup, Super League and the Rugby League Championships...
in 1895.
Leigh have been Rugby League Champions twice, in 1906 and 1982, and won the Challenge Cup
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
twice, in 1921 and 1971.
The club adopted the name Centurions for the 1995–96 season.
Early history
Rugby Football League
The Rugby Football League is the governing body for professional rugby league football in England. Based at Red Hall in Leeds, it administers the England national rugby league team, the Challenge Cup, Super League and the Rugby League Championships...
in 1895, the first season of the new game kicked off in September with Leigh recording a 6-3 loss against Leeds
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
. Leigh finished ninth overall that season.
In 1906, Leigh became Northern Union champions after a season with an 80% win rate. Many clubs complained that Leigh had provided themselves with an easy fixture list, ducking the challenge of the stronger clubs, as a result play-offs were brought in.
The club's next major success came in 1921 when it won the Challenge Cup
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
with a shock 13-0 victory over Halifax
Halifax RLFC
Halifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town...
at the Cliff
The Cliff (training ground)
The Cliff is a sports ground in Broughton, Salford on the banks of the River Irwell, that was used as rugby league club Broughton Rangers' home ground until 1933. It was purchased by association football club Manchester United F.C. for use as their training ground...
in Broughton
Broughton, Greater Manchester
Broughton is an inner city area of Salford, in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on the east bank of the River Irwell and A56 road, in the northeastern part of the City of Salford, north-northwest of Manchester city centre and south of Prestwich. Broughton consists of Broughton Park, Higher...
, Salford. In 1934, they played under floodlights for the first time, losing 8-25 at London Highfield.
During the Second World War, the club was forced to leave its ground as the adjacent BICC cable factory extended onto the land. The townsfolk of Leigh, acting on chairman James Hilton
James Hilton
James Hilton was an English novelist who wrote several best-sellers, including Lost Horizon and Goodbye, Mr. Chips.-Biography:...
's inspiration, cleared some fields on the edge of the town, and built a new stadium and moved and rebuilt the grandstand from the old ground. Players at this time included Albert Ashton, father of England national rugby union team
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
coach Brian Ashton
Brian Ashton (rugby player)
William Brian Ashton MBE is a former rugby union player and the former Head Coach of the England and Ireland national rugby union teams.-Biography:...
. In 1941–42, Leigh left the wartime Lancashire league and did not return to the league until 1946–47 when they played at the Athletic Ground, Holden Road.
Post war
In 1947, the club moved to Kirkhall LaneHilton Park (stadium)
Hilton Park was a multi-purpose stadium in Leigh, Greater Manchester, England. It was the home of Leigh Centurions rugby league club and Leigh Genesis F.C. association football club...
headquarters and in 1953 floodlights were installed at a cost of £4,100. The ground saw a record home crowd of 31,326 attend a Challenge Cup
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
tie with St Helens in the same year. Later, Kirkhall Lane was officially renamed Hilton Park after James Hilton
James Hilton
James Hilton was an English novelist who wrote several best-sellers, including Lost Horizon and Goodbye, Mr. Chips.-Biography:...
.
Leigh signed Jimmy Ledgard
Jimmy Ledgard
James "Jimmy" A. Ledgard was a Rugby League World Cup winning for; Dewsbury, Leigh, England, and Great Britain,He left Dewsbury for a record fee of £2,650 in January 1948, bought by Leigh, .Ledgard made 334 appearances for Leigh after joining the club from Dewsbury in 1948, scoring a record 1,043...
from Dewsbury
Dewsbury Rams
Dewsbury Rams RLFC is a professional rugby league club based in the West Yorkshire town of Dewsbury. They are arguably most famous for becoming Champions in 1972-73 after finishing the regular season in 8th place. In the playoffs they beat Featherstone away, Warrington away, and then Leeds in the...
in January 1948 for a then record fee of £2,650.
On Saturday 27 October 1951, 33,230 spectators saw Leigh lose 14-6 to Wigan
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
in the final of the Lancashire Cup
Rugby league county cups
Historically, British rugby league clubs competed for the Lancashire Cup and the Yorkshire Cup, known collectively as the county cups. The leading rugby clubs in Yorkshire had played in a cup competition for several years prior to the schism of 1895...
at Station Road, Swinton
Swinton, Greater Manchester
Swinton is a town within the City of Salford, in Greater Manchester, England. Located on the A6 road it stands on gently sloping ground on the southwest side of the River Irwell, and within the bounds of the orbital M60 motorway. It is west-northwest of Salford, and west-northwest of Manchester...
.
Leigh and Bradford Northern
Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league....
were the first rugby league clubs to stage matches on a Sunday in December 1954, although there was opposition from the Sunday Observance lobby.
The 1955–56 season saw the introduction of a tournament titled the ITV Rediffusion Cup
Associated-Rediffusion
Associated-Rediffusion, later Rediffusion, London, was the British ITV contractor for London and parts of the surrounding counties, on weekdays between 1954 and 29 July 1968. Transmissions started on 22 September 1955.-Formation:...
. Eight clubs participated in a series of games played at football grounds in the London area, with Warrington
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
eventually running out 43-18 victors over Leigh at Loftus Road
Loftus Road
Loftus Road is a football stadium in Shepherd's Bush, London. It is home to the English football team Queens Park Rangers of the Premier League and has a capacity of around 18,500. The four stands are called the Loftus Road End , Ellerslie Road Stand, South Africa Road Stand and the School End,...
.
Alex Murphy
Alex Murphy (rugby league)
Alex J. Murphy OBE is an English former professional rugby league footballer and coach of the mid to late 20th century...
joined Leigh as player-coach. In 1971, Leigh reached the Rugby League Challenge Cup
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
final and defeated Leeds
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
, 24-7. Murphy left Leigh on 20 May 1971 to become player-coach at Warrington.
In 1978, John Woods
John Woods (rugby league)
John Woods is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s, '80s and '90s, and coach of the 1980s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Leigh , Bradford Northern, Warrington, and Rochdale Hornets, playing at , or /, i.e...
played and scored in every game as Leigh secured the Second Division. In 1982, Leigh were Champions for the second time, as Alex Murphy guided them to a tense 13-4 victory at Whitehaven
Whitehaven RLFC
Whitehaven RLFC is a rugby league club playing in Whitehaven in West Cumbria. They play in Co-operative Championship. Their stadium is called the Recreation Ground...
, after Leigh trailed 4-1 at half time.
The 1981–82 season was memorable as the club lifted the Lancashire Cup
Rugby league county cups
Historically, British rugby league clubs competed for the Lancashire Cup and the Yorkshire Cup, known collectively as the county cups. The leading rugby clubs in Yorkshire had played in a cup competition for several years prior to the schism of 1895...
and ended the campaign as winners of the Championship for the second time in their history.
Leigh won the Second Division Championship in 1985–86, losing one league match and won it again in the 1988–89 season. For the 1990-91 season the club adopted the nickname the Bears, adding a bears emblem to the right breast of the club jerseys. The nickname was only used for one season and did not prove popular.
In January 1991, the club tried to sell its ground to ease cash problems. A consortium offered £200,000 to take over Leigh but the club ended up in administration. Swinton
Swinton Lions
Swinton Lions is an English professional rugby league club from Swinton, Greater Manchester. The club has won the Championship six times and three Challenge Cups. They currently play in the Championship.-Early years:...
offered to ground share, Station Road, to help Leigh but this offer was refused. In July, former player Bobby Hope, stepped in with a bid to save Leigh.
In December 1994, Ian Lucas
Ian Lucas (rugby league)
Ian Lucas is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and '90s, and coach of the 1990s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Wigan, playing at , i.e. number 8 or 10, and at club level has coached for Leigh...
became head coach of Leigh, the youngest senior coach in the game.
In 1995, the football club Horwich RMI made the decision to move from Horwich
Horwich
Horwich is a town and civil parish within the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, in Greater Manchester, England. It is southeast of Chorley, northwest of Bolton and northwest from the city of Manchester. It lies at the southern edge of the West Pennine Moors with the M61 motorway close to the...
, near Bolton
Bolton
Bolton is a town in Greater Manchester, in the North West of England. Close to the West Pennine Moors, it is north west of the city of Manchester. Bolton is surrounded by several smaller towns and villages which together form the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, of which Bolton is the...
, to Hilton Park, changing their name to Leigh RMI in the process. As part of the deal a new company, Grundy Hill Estates, was formed to take over the ownership of the ground. Leigh added "Centurions" to their name for the 1995-96 season.
Summer era
In 1996, the first tier of British rugby league clubs played the inaugural Super LeagueSuper League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
season and changed from a winter to a summer season. As the sport in Britain entered a new era, it was eight years before Leigh gained promotion to the top level of the game.
In April 1996, Eric Hughes
Eric Hughes
Eric Hughes was a rugby league footballer for the Widnes Vikings, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and for the Great Britain national side. He unwittingly added confusion to the Canterbury side as he played at the same time as the three Hughes brothers Garry, Graeme and Mark.Hughes coached Rochdale...
was appointed head coach replacing Ian Lucas who was sacked after Leigh had won only one of its first five games of the season. Hughes was replaced by Keith Latham who was in charge until 1998. Norman Turley was head coach in 1998.
In 1998 Ian Millward
Ian Millward
Ian Millward is an Australian rugby league coach and former player. Millward is currently the head coach at Super League side Castleford....
was appointed head coach. Leigh came close to relegation to the game's third tier. Under Millward, they were turned into promotion contenders. Millward left in 2000 to coach St Helens after the sacking of Ellery Hanley
Ellery Hanley
Ellery Cuthwyn Hanley MBE is a British former rugby league footballer of the 1970s, 80s and 90s, and former head coach of Great Britain, St. Helens and Doncaster. As a player he played most of his games at /, or /. Over a period of nineteen years, he played for Bradford Northern, Wigan, Balmain,...
.
Australian Paul Terzis
Paul Terzis
Australian Paul Terzis was coach of Leigh Centurions from 1999-2003. His reign was notable for a number of 'near misses' as Leigh attempted to win promotion to Super League. He was succeeded by Darren Abram. He currently writes for Rugby League World magazine as the 'Supercoach'.-References:...
was coach of Leigh from 1999 to 2003. His reign was notable for a number of 'near misses' as Leigh attempted to win promotion to Super League. In 2001 Leigh recorded a shock Challenge Cup victory over Super League Salford
Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
, finished 9 points clear at the top of the Northern Ford Premiership and claimed the Trans-Pennine Cup. However, Leigh were defeated in the play-off semi-finals and Widnes
Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward...
went on to win the Grand Final and a place in Super League.
In 2002 and 2003, the relegated Super League sides, Huddersfield
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
and Salford
Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
remained fully professional teams. Thus, their full-time fitness and coaching led to defeat in successive grand finals for Leigh.
In October 2003, Darren Abram
Darren Abram
Darren Abram is am English rugby league coach, formerly of Leigh Centurions and Rochdale Hornets.Abram cut his coaching teeth with Chorley Lynx in National League Two and was taken on by Leigh Centurions, with a view to taking them into the Super League, in October 2003. He accomplished this in his...
was appointed head coach, with a view to taking them into Super League. When Halifax
Halifax RLFC
Halifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town...
were relegated to play in the 2004 National League competition, their financial troubles meant they were unable to retain a full-time team and struggled, paving the way for Leigh to go about achieving their dream. Whitehaven
Whitehaven RLFC
Whitehaven RLFC is a rugby league club playing in Whitehaven in West Cumbria. They play in Co-operative Championship. Their stadium is called the Recreation Ground...
were the opponents when Leigh won the National League One Grand Final
Rugby League National Leagues
The Championship, known as Co-operative Championship due to sponsorship by The Co-operative Group, is a professional rugby league competition based in the United Kingdom. It is currently contested by ten teams from England. It acts as Europe's second-tier competition below the Super League, and has...
32-16 (after extra time, 16-16 at full-time) in 2004, thus securing promotion to Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
.
Leigh's Super League season of 2005 proved a disaster and the club were relegated to National League One after winning just two games. Abram resigned in August 2005 after a disagreement with the board, who felt unable to offer him the full-time contract he wanted for 2006 if the club were not in Super League.
New Zealander Tony Benson
Tony Benson
Tony Benson is a rugby league coach from New Zealand. Since the 2008-2009 season he has been the head coach of Oldham Roughyeds in the British Rugby League National Championship 1.-New Zealand:...
, was appointed head coach in September 2005. Leigh's relegation from Super League had been all but confirmed at the time of his appointment. In July 2006, Leigh won the Northern Rail Cup after defeating Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers or Hull KR is an English professional rugby league football club based in Hull, England. The club formed in 1882 and currently competes in Super League, having won promotion from National League One in 2006...
22-18 at Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road is an all-seater football stadium in the English town of Blackpool, Lancashire. It has been the permanent home of Blackpool F.C. since 1901 and is named after the road on which the stadium's main entrance used to stand. The stadium has been in a process of redevelopment since 2000...
, Blackpool. It was the second time the club had won that particular trophy having also triumphed in the 2004 final against the same opposition.
Following Leigh's 23-22 defeat to Batley
Batley Bulldogs
Batley Bulldogs are an English professional rugby league club from Batley, West Yorkshire. They currently play in the Co-operative Championship. Batley is one of the original twenty-two rugby football clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895...
in the 2006 NL1 play offs, the club's future was thrown into doubt. The club's owners decided to part company with Tony Benson
Tony Benson
Tony Benson is a rugby league coach from New Zealand. Since the 2008-2009 season he has been the head coach of Oldham Roughyeds in the British Rugby League National Championship 1.-New Zealand:...
causing some of the back room staff and management to resign in support of their colleague. The uncertainty also caused a number of the club's playing staff to leave.
Darren Shaw
Darren Shaw
Darren Shaw is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He is the coach of Rochdale Hornets.Before his coaching career, Shaw played for a number of clubs in England and Australia. Shaw played for Brisbane Broncos, London Broncos, Sheffield Eagles, Castleford Tigers and Salford City...
was appointed as coach of the club in October 2006 to replace Benson. However it was found that Darren Shaw
Darren Shaw
Darren Shaw is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He is the coach of Rochdale Hornets.Before his coaching career, Shaw played for a number of clubs in England and Australia. Shaw played for Brisbane Broncos, London Broncos, Sheffield Eagles, Castleford Tigers and Salford City...
did not have the necessary qualifications to coach at this level and he was moved to the position of Football Manager, while assistant coach Paul Rowley was appointed as First Team Coach.
In January 2007, the club announced it would drop the Centurions name ahead of its move to a new stadium at Leigh Sports Village
Leigh Sports Village
Leigh Sports Village is an £50 million multi-use sports, retail and housing development in Leigh, Greater Manchester, England. Leigh Sports Village plays host to three of the towns sporting clubs. Amateur rugby league club, Leigh East and amateur athletics club, Leigh Harriers occupy dedicated...
. The club changed the name of its stadium back to Hilton Park after re-naming it the Coliseum a number of years earlier. However, due to an influx of letters, e-mails and telephone calls from Leigh supporters asking the club to re-think its decision; this decision was reversed in May.
Darren Shaw's first full season in charge of Leigh ended with a 19-6 play off defeat away to Whitehaven. Leigh's 2007 season was one dogged by inconsistency. Convincing wins were often followed by heavy defeats as Shaw was forced to field a number of youngsters due to injury problems. The unsettled nature of the side in 2007 was reflected by the fact that Shaw gave debuts to over 20 players over the course of the season.
Despite the disappointing end to the 2007 season, Shaw was given a contract to coach Leigh for the 2008 season. After a promising start to the 2008 season, Shaw tendered his resignation following defeats to Salford, Widnes and Featherstone Rovers
Featherstone Rovers
Featherstone Rovers are a semi-professional rugby league club, based in Featherstone, West Yorkshire, England. They currently play in the Championship. The Rovers are one of the last vestiges of "small town teams" that were once common in rugby league during the early twentieth century...
. Darren Shaw was replaced by Neil Kelly.
In April 2009, Neil Kelly took up the position of Director of Rugby at the club and his assistant Paul Rowley became head coach. Simon Knox became assistant coach.
At the end of the 2009 season, despite winning a 'must win' game at home to Whitehaven 47-14 other results went against Leigh and they were relegated to Championship 1. Leigh were reinstated into Co-operative Championship on 11 November 2009 after the RFL Board took the decision after Gateshead Thunder
Gateshead Thunder
Gateshead Thunder is a professional rugby league club based in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear in England. They currently play in the Championship 1 competition, the third tier of rugby league in the United Kingdom...
's chairman Steve Garside wound up Gateshead and Newcastle Rugby Ltd.
Ian Millward returned as the club's head coach for 2010, Leigh took advantage of their reprieve and had a terrific season, finishing in third place in the Co-Operative Championship before losing at home in the play-offs to Sheffield Eagles, whilst also reaching the semi finals of the Northern Rail Cup before being knocked out by eventual winners Batley Bulldogs.
The 2011 season saw Leigh start as league pacesetters losing their first league game of the season in early June at home to Halifax. That defeat was more than made up for by defeating Halifax 20-16 in the final of the Northern Rail Cup at Blackpool's Bloomfield Road on Sunday 17th July 2011 afer a match-winning try in the final 30 seconds of a thrilling encounter from young centre Tom Armstrong.
New stadium
Leigh moved into their new 12,500 capacity stadium, being made up of 10,000 seats, and a standing terrace of approximately 2,500 in late December 2008. The stadium forms part of the Leigh Sports VillageLeigh Sports Village
Leigh Sports Village is an £50 million multi-use sports, retail and housing development in Leigh, Greater Manchester, England. Leigh Sports Village plays host to three of the towns sporting clubs. Amateur rugby league club, Leigh East and amateur athletics club, Leigh Harriers occupy dedicated...
complex was shared with Leigh Genesis football club. The old ground at Hilton Park has been demolished and the land sold for housing development. It is hoped that the new stadium will be the cornerstone of Leigh's application for a Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
franchise in the coming years.
The first game to be played at Leigh Sports Village took place on 28 December 2008. The friendly match against Salford
Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
was held as a ramp up event in order for the stadium management company to gain a full safety certificate.
On Thursday 21 May 2009, the Queen
Queen regnant
A queen regnant is a female monarch who reigns in her own right, in contrast to a queen consort, who is the wife of a reigning king. An empress regnant is a female monarch who reigns in her own right over an empire....
and Prince Phillip visited the region to officially open Leigh Sports Village
Leigh Sports Village
Leigh Sports Village is an £50 million multi-use sports, retail and housing development in Leigh, Greater Manchester, England. Leigh Sports Village plays host to three of the towns sporting clubs. Amateur rugby league club, Leigh East and amateur athletics club, Leigh Harriers occupy dedicated...
.
2011 squad
Current table
Honours
- RFL Champions: 1905–06, 1981–82 (twice)
- Challenge CupChallenge CupThe Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
winners : 1920–21, 1970–71 (twice) - Lancashire Cup winners: 1952–53, 1955–56, 1970–71, 1981–82 (4 times)
- Second Division champions (including National League OneRugby League National LeaguesThe Championship, known as Co-operative Championship due to sponsorship by The Co-operative Group, is a professional rugby league competition based in the United Kingdom. It is currently contested by ten teams from England. It acts as Europe's second-tier competition below the Super League, and has...
): 1977–78, 1985–86, 1988–89, 2004 (4 times) - Second Division runners-up : 2000, 2002, 2003
- Second Division Minor Premiers (League Leaders) : 2001
- BBC2 Floodlit TrophyBBC2 Floodlit TrophyThe BBC2 Floodlit Trophy was a competition for British rugby league clubs held between 1965 and 1980. It was designed specifically for television, and the then director of BBC2, broadcaster David Attenborough, was instrumental in its creation...
: 1969–70, 1972–73 (twice) - Trans-Pennine CupTrans-Pennine CupThe Trans-Pennine Cup was a short-lived competition for professional British rugby league clubs outside Super League. It was played for during the period in which all non-Super League professional clubs were grouped into a single competition, the Northern Ford Premiership: 1998-2001.The competition...
: 2001 - National League CupNational League CupThe Championship Cup, known as the Northern Rail Cup due to sponsorship by Northern Rail, is a rugby league football competition for clubs in the United Kingdom's Championship and Championship 1 leagues, formerly known as the Rugby League National Leagues...
: 2004, 2006
Coaching history
1966–1971: Alex MurphyAlex Murphy (rugby league)
Alex J. Murphy OBE is an English former professional rugby league footballer and coach of the mid to late 20th century...
1971: Peter Smethurst
1971–1972: Derek Hurt
1972–1974: Les Pearce
1974–1975: Eddie Cheetham
1975–1977: Kevin Ashcroft
Kevin Ashcroft
Kevin Ashcroft is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s and '70s, and coach of the 1970s, '80s, and '90s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Rochdale Hornets, Dewsbury, Leigh, Warrington, and Salford, playing at , or , i.e...
1977: Bill Kindon
1977–1978: John Mantle
John Mantle (rugby player)
John Mantle is a Welsh former dual-code international rugby player. He was capped for Wales at rugby union, and Great Britain, and Wales in rugby league.-Rugby career:...
1978–1980: Tom Grainey
1980–1982: Alex Murphy
Alex Murphy (rugby league)
Alex J. Murphy OBE is an English former professional rugby league footballer and coach of the mid to late 20th century...
1982: Colin Clarke
Colin Clarke (rugby league)
Colin Clarke is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s and '70s, and coach of the 1980s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Wigan, playing at , i.e. number 9, during the era of contested scrums, and at club level has coached...
1982–1983: Peter Smethurst
1983–1984: Tommy Bishop
Tommy Bishop
Tommy Bishop is an English former rugby league footballer and coach of the 1960s and 70s. He played for St. Helens in the English Rugby Football League Championship and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the New South Wales Rugby League competition in Australia...
1984–1985: John Woods
John Woods (rugby league)
John Woods is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s, '80s and '90s, and coach of the 1980s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Leigh , Bradford Northern, Warrington, and Rochdale Hornets, playing at , or /, i.e...
1985: Alex Murphy
Alex Murphy (rugby league)
Alex J. Murphy OBE is an English former professional rugby league footballer and coach of the mid to late 20th century...
1985–1986: Tommy Dickens
1986–1990: William "Billy" Benyon
Billy Benyon (rugby league)
Billy Benyon is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s and '70s, and coach of the 1980s and '90s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for St. Helens, and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, playing at , or , i.e. number 3 or 4,...
1990–1991: Alex Murphy
Alex Murphy (rugby league)
Alex J. Murphy OBE is an English former professional rugby league footballer and coach of the mid to late 20th century...
1991–1992: Kevin Ashcroft
Kevin Ashcroft
Kevin Ashcroft is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s and '70s, and coach of the 1970s, '80s, and '90s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Rochdale Hornets, Dewsbury, Leigh, Warrington, and Salford, playing at , or , i.e...
1992: Jim Crellin
1992–1994: Steve Simms
1994: Denis Ramsdale
1994–1996: Ian Lucas
Ian Lucas (rugby league)
Ian Lucas is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and '90s, and coach of the 1990s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Wigan, playing at , i.e. number 8 or 10, and at club level has coached for Leigh...
1996: Eric Hughes
Eric Hughes
Eric Hughes was a rugby league footballer for the Widnes Vikings, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and for the Great Britain national side. He unwittingly added confusion to the Canterbury side as he played at the same time as the three Hughes brothers Garry, Graeme and Mark.Hughes coached Rochdale...
1996–1998: Keith Latham
1998: Norman Turley
1998–2000: Ian Millward
Ian Millward
Ian Millward is an Australian rugby league coach and former player. Millward is currently the head coach at Super League side Castleford....
2000–2003: Paul Terzis
Paul Terzis
Australian Paul Terzis was coach of Leigh Centurions from 1999-2003. His reign was notable for a number of 'near misses' as Leigh attempted to win promotion to Super League. He was succeeded by Darren Abram. He currently writes for Rugby League World magazine as the 'Supercoach'.-References:...
2003–2005: Darren Abram
Darren Abram
Darren Abram is am English rugby league coach, formerly of Leigh Centurions and Rochdale Hornets.Abram cut his coaching teeth with Chorley Lynx in National League Two and was taken on by Leigh Centurions, with a view to taking them into the Super League, in October 2003. He accomplished this in his...
2005–2006: Tony Benson
Tony Benson
Tony Benson is a rugby league coach from New Zealand. Since the 2008-2009 season he has been the head coach of Oldham Roughyeds in the British Rugby League National Championship 1.-New Zealand:...
2006–2008: Darren Shaw
Darren Shaw
Darren Shaw is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He is the coach of Rochdale Hornets.Before his coaching career, Shaw played for a number of clubs in England and Australia. Shaw played for Brisbane Broncos, London Broncos, Sheffield Eagles, Castleford Tigers and Salford City...
2008–2009: Neil Kelly
2009- Paul Rowley
Paul Rowley
Paul Rowley born 12 March 1975 in Leigh, Greater Manchester, England is a coach and former rugby league player for Leigh Centurions in National League One.Paul Rowley's position of choice was as a hooker....
2009–present: Ian Millward
Ian Millward
Ian Millward is an Australian rugby league coach and former player. Millward is currently the head coach at Super League side Castleford....
Players earning international caps while at Leigh
- Trevor AllanTrevor AllanTrevor Allan OAM was an Australian dual-code rugby international who captained Australia in rugby union before switching to rugby league with English club Leigh.-Rugby union club career:...
won caps for Other NationsOther Nationalities rugby league teamThe Other Nationalities rugby league team regularly played international, and also county, rugby league football teams in Europe from 1904 to 1975. The team, created in 1904 to play England in the first ever rugby league international match, was at first made up of Welsh and Scottish players...
while at Leigh circa-1952 ?-caps won caps for British Empire XIIIBritish Empire XIII rugby league teamThe British Empire XIII rugby league team was a rugby league football team in Europe that represented the Empire of Britain at the time.-External sources:* Programme from game versus New Zealand 1952* British Pathe news footage...
while at Leigh circa-1952 ?-caps - Kevin AshcroftKevin AshcroftKevin Ashcroft is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s and '70s, and coach of the 1970s, '80s, and '90s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Rochdale Hornets, Dewsbury, Leigh, Warrington, and Salford, playing at , or , i.e...
won caps for Great Britain while at Leigh 1968 Australia France, 1969 France, 1970 France, New Zealand, 1974 New Zealand (sub) (World Cup 1968 1-cap, 1970 2-caps) - Benjamin John "Jackie" BowenJackie BowenBenjamin John "Jackie" Bowen was a Welsh international rugby league player. He originally played rugby for Llanelli under the union code later switching to league when he joined Wigan and represented the Welsh league team....
won caps for Wales while at WiganWigan WarriorsWigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
, and Leigh 1945…48 2-caps - Jeffrey "Jeff" Burke (#12) http://www.rugbyleague.org/features/content.php?feat_id=273&featcat_id=32 won caps for Other NationsOther Nationalities rugby league teamThe Other Nationalities rugby league team regularly played international, and also county, rugby league football teams in Europe from 1904 to 1975. The team, created in 1904 to play England in the first ever rugby league international match, was at first made up of Welsh and Scottish players...
while at Leigh circa-1951 ?-caps - Joseph "Joe" CartwrightJoseph CartwrightJoseph "Joe" Cartwright is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1920s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Leigh, playing at , i.e...
won caps for England while at Leigh 1921 Wales, Other Nations, Australia, 1922 Wales, 1923 Wales (2 matches), and won caps for Great Britain while at Leigh 1920 Australia, New Zealand (3 matches), 1921–22 Australia (3 matches) - David ChisnallDavid ChisnallDavid "Dave" Chisnall is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Leigh , Warrington, St. Helens, and Barrow, playing at , i.e...
won caps for England while at WarringtonWarrington WolvesWarrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
1975 Wales (sub), France, Wales, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and won caps for Great Britain while at Leigh 1970 Australia, New Zealand (World Cup 1970 1-cap) - Thomas "Tom" ClarksonThomas Clarkson (rugby league)Thomas "Tom" Clarkson is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1920s who at representative level has played for England, and at club level for Leigh.-International honours:...
won caps for England while at Leigh 1921 Australia, 1922 Wales, 1923 Wales - Thomas "Tom" CoopThomas CoopThomas "Tom" Coop was an English rugby union footballer of the 1890s who at representative level played for England, and at club level for Leigh, playing at Fullback, i.e. number 15...
, won a cap for England (RU) while at Leigh in 1892 against Scotland - Joseph "Joe" DarwellJoe DarwellJoseph "Joe" Darwell is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1920s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Leigh, playing at , i.e...
won caps for England while at Leigh in 1922 against Wales, and in 1923 against Wales (2 matches), and won caps for Great Britain while at Leigh in 1924 against Australia (3 matches), and New Zealand (2 matches) - Malcolm DaviesMalcolm Davies (rugby league)Malcolm Davies was a Welsh professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s who at representative level played for Wales, and at club level for Leigh, Bradford Northern , and Leeds, playing at , i.e. number 2 or 5.-International honours:...
won caps for Wales while at Leigh, and Bradford NorthernBradford BullsBradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league....
1953…1959 2-caps - Steve Donlan won caps for England while at Leigh 1984 Wales, and won caps for Great Britain while at Leigh 1984 New Zealand, Papua New Guinea
- Desmond "Des" DrummondDes DrummondDes Lloyd Drummond is an English/Jamaican former rugby league footballer. He played on the .Full name: Desmond Lloyd DrummondDate of Birth: 17 June 1958Height: 5'7"...
won caps for England while at Leigh 1980 Wales, France, 1981 France, Wales, 1984 Wales, and won caps for Great Britain while at Leigh 1980 New Zealand (2 matches), 1981 France (2 matches), 1982 Australia (3 matches), 1983 France (2 matches), 1984 France, Australia (3 matches), New Zealand (3 matches), Papua New Guinea, 1985 New Zealand (3 matches), 1986 France (2 matches), while at WarringtonWarrington WolvesWarrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
1987 Papua New Guinea, 1988 France
- Joe EganJoe Egan (rugby league)Joe Egan is an English former rugby league footballer and coach. He played for Wigan from 1938 to 1950. In the 1948 Challenge Cup final Wigan defeated Bradford Northern 8-3 and Egan was the first captain to receive the trophy from a reigning monarch, King George VI. He was a member of the 1946...
won caps for England while at WiganWigan WarriorsWigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
1943 Wales, 1944 Wales, 1945 Wales (2 matches), 1946 France (2 matches), Wales (2 matches), 1947 France (2 matches), Wales (2 matches), 1948 France (2 matches), Wales, 1949 Wales, France, Other Nations, 1950 Wales, while at Leigh Wales, France, and won caps for Great Britain while at WiganWigan WarriorsWigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
1946 Australia (3 matches), 1947 New Zealand (3 matches), 1948 Australia (3 matches), 1950 Australia (3 matches), New Zealand (2 matches) - Wyndham EmeryWyndham EmeryWyndham C. Emery was a Welsh professional rugby league footballer of the 1920s who at representative level played for Wales, and Other Nationalities, and at club level for Leigh....
won a cap for Wales while at Leigh 1922 1-cap - Stuart FergusonStuart FergusonStuart Ferguson is a former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s and '70s who at representative level has played rugby union for Wales XV, and at club level for Swansea RFC, playing at Wing, i.e. number 11 or 14, and at representative level has played rugby league for...
won a cap for Wales while at Leigh 1970 1-cap 2-goals 4-points - Peter FosterPeter Foster (rugby league)Peter Foster is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Leigh, playing at /, i.e...
won caps for Great Britain while at Leigh in 1955 against New Zealand (3 matches), and also represented Great Britain while at Leigh between 1952 and 1956 against France (1 non-Test match) - Frederick "Fred" HarrisFred Harris (rugby league)Frederick "Fred" Harris is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1930s who at representative level has played for England, and at club level for Leigh, and Leeds.-International honours:...
won caps for England while at Leigh 1934 Australia, while at LeedsLeeds RhinosLeeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
1937 France - Adam HughesAdam Hughes (rugby league)Adam Hughes is a professional rugby league and rugby union footballer who at representative level has played for Wales, and at club level for , Leeds Rhinos, Leeds Tykes , Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Halifax, Widnes Vikings, Leigh Centurions, Oldham Roughyeds, and Barrow Raiders, playing at , or ,...
won caps for Wales while at Widnes VikingsWidnes VikingsWidnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward...
, Leigh, and Oldham RoughyedsOldham RoughyedsOldham Roughyeds is an English professional rugby league club based in Oldham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Championship One. Oldham is one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895....
2002…2007 13(11?)-caps 9-tries 3-goals 42-points - Christopher "Chris" JohnsonChris Johnson (rugby league)Christopher "Chris" Johnson is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and '90s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Leigh, and Swinton, playing at , i.e...
won a cap for Great Britain while at Leigh in 1985 against France - Clive JonesClive Jones (rugby league)Clive Jones is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s who at representative level has played for Wales, and at club level for Leigh, playing at /, i.e. number 13.-International honours:...
won caps for Wales while at Leigh in the 1975 Rugby League World Cup against New Zealand, and France (World Cup 1975 2-caps) - Edward "Ted" KerwickEdward KerwickEdward "Ted" Kerwick is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1940s who at representative level has played for England, and at club level for Leigh.-International honours:...
won caps for England while at Leigh 1949 Other Nations - Frank KitchenFrank KitchenFrank Kitchen is a former professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1950s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Leigh, playing at , i.e...
won caps for Great Britain while at Leigh (World Cup 1954 2-caps, 3-tries) - James "Jimmy" LedgardJimmy LedgardJames "Jimmy" A. Ledgard was a Rugby League World Cup winning for; Dewsbury, Leigh, England, and Great Britain,He left Dewsbury for a record fee of £2,650 in January 1948, bought by Leigh, .Ledgard made 334 appearances for Leigh after joining the club from Dewsbury in 1948, scoring a record 1,043...
won caps for England while at DewsburyDewsbury RamsDewsbury Rams RLFC is a professional rugby league club based in the West Yorkshire town of Dewsbury. They are arguably most famous for becoming Champions in 1972-73 after finishing the regular season in 8th place. In the playoffs they beat Featherstone away, Warrington away, and then Leeds in the...
1947 France (2 matches), Wales, while at Leigh 1948 Wales, 1949 France, Other Nations, 1951 Wales, France, 1952 Other Nations (2 matches), Wales, 1953 Wales, 1955 Other Nations, and won caps for Great Britain while at DewsburyDewsbury RamsDewsbury Rams RLFC is a professional rugby league club based in the West Yorkshire town of Dewsbury. They are arguably most famous for becoming Champions in 1972-73 after finishing the regular season in 8th place. In the playoffs they beat Featherstone away, Warrington away, and then Leeds in the...
1947 New Zealand (2 matches), while at Leigh 1948 Australia, 1950 Australia (2 matches), New Zealand, 1951 New Zealand, 1954 France (2 matches), Australia, New Zealand (World Cup 1954 4-caps, 1-try, 13-goals) - Gordon LewisGordon LewisGordon Hale Lewis is a Welsh former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s and '70s who at club level has played rugby union for Swansea RFC, and at representative level has played rugby league for Great Britain, and Wales, and at club level for Leigh, playing at , i.e...
won a cap for Wales while at Leigh in 1970 against England, and won a cap for Great Britain while at Leigh in 1965 against New Zealand - Tau'alupe LikuTau'alupe LikuTau'alupe Liku is a Tongan rugby league player who represented his country in the 1995 World Cup. Liku played for the Leigh Centurions in England.-References:...
won caps for Tonga while at Leigh 1995 ?-caps
- Michael "Mick" Martyn won caps for Great Britain while at Leigh in 1958 against Australia, and in 1959 against Australia
- Walter MooneyWalter MooneyWalter Mooney was a professional rugby league footballer of the 1920s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and at club level for Leigh, playing at , i.e...
won caps for Great Britain while at Leigh in 1924 against New Zealand (2 matches) - Mark MoranMark Moran (rugby league)Mark Moran is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s who at representative level has played for Wales, and at club level for Salford, and Leigh.-International honours:Mark Moran won caps for Wales while at Leigh 1992 2-caps ....
won caps for Wales while at Leigh 1992 2-caps (sub) - Christopher "Chris" MorleyChris MorleyChristopher "Chris" Morley is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s who at representative level has played for Wales, and at club level for St. Helens, Warrington Wolves, Salford City Reds, Sheffield Eagles, Leigh Centurions, Oldham Roughyeds, Halifax, and Swinton...
won caps for Wales while at St. Helens in 1996 against France (sub), and England, while at Salford City RedsSalford City RedsSalford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
in 1999 against Ireland, and Scotland, while at Sheffield EaglesSheffield EaglesSheffield Eagles RLFC are an English rugby league club based in the South Yorkshire city of Sheffield. They currently play in the Co-operative Championship. Their home games are played at Bramall Lane after leaving Don Valley Stadium in late 2009....
in 2000 against South Africa (sub), while at Leigh in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup against Lebanon (sub), New Zealand, Papua New Guinea (sub), and Australia, while at Oldham RoughyedsOldham RoughyedsOldham Roughyeds is an English professional rugby league club based in Oldham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Championship One. Oldham is one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895....
in 2001 against England, while at HalifaxHalifax RLFCHalifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town...
in 2003 against Russia, and Australia, while at Swinton LionsSwinton LionsSwinton Lions is an English professional rugby league club from Swinton, Greater Manchester. The club has won the Championship six times and three Challenge Cups. They currently play in the Championship.-Early years:...
in 2006 against Scotland, 1996…2006 13(14?)-caps + 4-caps (sub) 1(2?)-try 4(8?)-points - Alex MurphyAlex Murphy (rugby league)Alex J. Murphy OBE is an English former professional rugby league footballer and coach of the mid to late 20th century...
(WarringtonWarrington WolvesWarrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
won caps for England while at Leigh 1969 Wales, France, and won caps for Great Britain while at St. Helens 1958 Australia (3 matches), New Zealand, 1959 France (2 matches), Australia, 1960 New Zealand, France, Australia, France, 1961 France, New Zealand (3 matches), 1962 France, Australia (3 matches), 1963 Australia (2 matches), 1964 France, 1965 France, New Zealand, 1966 France (2 matches), while at WarringtonWarrington WolvesWarrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
1971 New Zealand (World Cup 1960 3-caps, 1-try) - Stanley "Stan" OwenStan OwenStanley "Stan" G. Owen is a Welsh former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s and '60s who at club level has played rugby union for Pontypridd RFC, and at representative level has played rugby league for Great Britain, and Wales, and at club level for Leigh, St....
won a cap for Great Britain while at Leigh in 1958 against France, and represented Wales while at Leigh in 1955 against France, and in 1963 against France - Charles "Charlie" PawseyCharles Pawsey (rugby league)Charles "Charlie" H. Pawsey is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Leigh, playing at , i.e...
won caps for England while at Leigh 1951 Wales, 1952 Other Nations (2 matches), Wales, 1953 France (2 matches), Wales, Other Nations, and won caps for Great Britain while at Leigh 1952 Australia (3 matches), 1954 Australia (2 matches), New Zealand (2 matches) - Gareth PriceGareth PriceGareth Price, born 26th August, 1980 in Swansea, Wales is a Welsh international rugby league player.Gareth Price plays for the Widnes Vikings in National League One.Price's position of choice is at prop forward....
won caps for Wales while at St Helens, Leigh, Rochdale HornetsRochdale HornetsRochdale Hornets RLFC is an English professional rugby league club from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England. They currently play in Championship One...
, and Celtic Crusaders 1999…present 2(9, 10?)-caps + 9-caps (sub) 1-try 4-points - Rob RobertsRob RobertsRob Roberts is a rugby league player for the Oldham Roughyeds in National League Two. He plays , , or /...
won caps for Wales while at Huddersfield GiantsHuddersfield GiantsHuddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
, unattachedFree agentIn professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
, Leigh, and Oldham RoughyedsOldham RoughyedsOldham Roughyeds is an English professional rugby league club based in Oldham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Championship One. Oldham is one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895....
2002…present 6(7, 8?)-caps + 2-caps (sub) 2-tries 8-points - William "Bill" RobinsonBill Robinson (rugby league)William "Bill" Robinson is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Leigh, playing at , i.e. number 8 or 10, during the era of contested scrums....
won caps for Great Britain while at Leigh in 1963 against France, and Australia
- Richard "Dick" SilcockRichard SilcockRichard "Dick" Silcock was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s and coach of the 1920s, who at representative level played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Leigh, and Wigan, playing at , i.e...
won caps for England while at Leigh 1906 Other Nations, and won caps for Great Britain while at WiganWigan WarriorsWigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
1909 Australia - Raymond "Ray" TabernRay TabernRaymond "Ray" Tabern is a former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s who at club level has played rugby union for , and at representative level has played rugby league for Great Britain, and at club level for Leigh, and Workington Town, playing at , i.e...
won caps for Great Britain while at Leigh in 1982 against France - Joseph "Joe" WalshJoseph Walsh (rugby league)Joseph "Joe" Walsh was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s and '70s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and at club level for Leigh, and Warrington, playing at , i.e...
won caps for Great Britain while at Leigh in 1971 against New Zealand - Ian WatsonIan Watson (rugby league)Ian Watson is a Welsh former rugby league footballer who played at /, or . He is currently assistant coach for Swinton in the Championship...
won caps for Wales while at Salford City RedsSalford City RedsSalford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
, Swinton LionsSwinton LionsSwinton Lions is an English professional rugby league club from Swinton, Greater Manchester. The club has won the Championship six times and three Challenge Cups. They currently play in the Championship.-Early years:...
, Widnes VikingsWidnes VikingsWidnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward...
, Rochdale HornetsRochdale HornetsRochdale Hornets RLFC is an English professional rugby league club from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England. They currently play in Championship One...
, Oldham RoughyedsOldham RoughyedsOldham Roughyeds is an English professional rugby league club based in Oldham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Championship One. Oldham is one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895....
, and Leigh 1996…present 19(17?)-caps + 3-caps (sub) 3(4?)-tries 1-goal 14(18?)-points - David "Dave" WhittleDave WhittleDave Whittle is a former rugby league footballer, playing at .Whittle was a Wales international and played at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.-External links:**...
won caps for Wales while at Leigh 2000…2002 5(6?)-caps + 1-cap (sub) - William "Billy" WinstanleyWilliam Winstanley (rugby league)William "Billy" Winstanley was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1910s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Leigh, and Wigan, playing at , or /, i.e...
won caps for England while at Leigh 1910 Wales, while at WiganWigan WarriorsWigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
1911 Wales, Australia, 1912 Wales, and won caps for Great Britain while at Leigh 1910 Australia, New Zealand, while at WiganWigan WarriorsWigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
1911–12 Australia (3 matches) - John WoodJohn Wood (rugby league)John Wood is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Leigh, playing at , i.e. number 8 or 10.-International honours:...
won caps for Great Britain while at Leigh 1982 France - John WoodsJohn Woods (rugby league)John Woods is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s, '80s and '90s, and coach of the 1980s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Leigh , Bradford Northern, Warrington, and Rochdale Hornets, playing at , or /, i.e...
won caps for England while at Leigh 1979 Wales (sub), France, 1980 Wales (sub), France, 1981 France, Wales, Wales (sub), and won caps for Great Britain while at Leigh 1979 Australia (3 matches), New Zealand, 1980 New Zealand, 1981 France (2 matches), 1982 Australia, Australia, 1983 France, while at WarringtonWarrington WolvesWarrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
1987 Papua New Guinea - Albert WorrallAlbert WorrallAlbert Worrall is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1920s and '30s who at representative level has played for England, and at club level for Leigh, playing at , i.e...
won caps for England while at Leigh 1934 Australia
Other notable players
These players have either; received a testimonial matchTestimonial match
A testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
, are "Hall of Fame" inductees, played during Leigh Centurions' Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
season, or were international representatives before, or after, their time at Leigh.
- Albert Ashton circa-1940 (Father of Brian AshtonBrian Ashton (rugby player)William Brian Ashton MBE is a former rugby union player and the former Head Coach of the England and Ireland national rugby union teams.-Biography:...
) - Owen 'Ozzy' Bevan (brother of Brian BevanBrian BevanBrian Eyrl Bevan was a legendary rugby league winger who scored a world record 796 tries for Warrington RLFC...
) - Mathew Bottom http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Mathew_Bottom.html circa-2005
- Edward "Ted" Brophy circa-1962
- Liam Coleman http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Liam_Coleman.html circa-2005
- Benjamin "Ben" Cooper http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Ben_Cooper.html circa-2005
- Jason Duffy http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Jason_Duffy.html circa-2005
- John DuffyJohn Duffy (rugby league)John Duffy born in England is a rugby league player for Leigh Centurions in coop championship.John Duffy's position of choice is as a / and he can also operate as a /, and ....
circa-2005 - Dominic Feau'natiDominic Feau'natiDominic Feau'nati born 14 June 1978 in Wellington, New Zealand is a rugby union player for the SC Albi in the Guinness Premiership. He plays in the centre's. He is a Samoan rugby union international.-Career:...
circa-2005 - Jason FerrisJason FerrisJason Ferris is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played for six different clubs between 1996 and 2005. He played at either halfback or five-eighth...
http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Jason_Ferris.html circa-2005 - Dai FitzgeraldDai FitzgeraldDavid "Dai" Fitzgerald was a Welsh rugby centre who played club rugby under the union code for Cardiff and later switched to professional rugby league team Batley...
- Darren FlearyDarren FlearyDarren Fleary is a professional Rugby League player.-Career:He has played for Leeds Rhinos, Keighley Cougars, Leigh Centurions and his home town club Huddersfield Giants. He played Prop forward...
circa-2005 - Carl Forber http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Carl_Forber.html circa-2005
- Michael "Mike" Govin http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Mike_Govin.html circa-2005
- Danny HalliwellDanny HalliwellDanny Halliwell is a professional rugby league footballer who at club level has played for Halifax , Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Warrington Wolves, Leigh Centurions, and Salford City Reds, playing at , or , i.e. number 2 or 5, or, 3 or 4....
circa-2005 - Kevin HendersonKevin Henderson (rugby league)Kevin Henderson is a British professional rugby league footballer for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats of Super League. A Scotland international representative forward, Henderson previously played in Australia for the Newcastle Knights and in England for Leigh Centurions...
circa-2005 - Christopher "Chris" Hill http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Chris_Hill.html circa-2005
- Michael "Mick" Hogan (#1)
- Rob JacksonRob JacksonRob Jackson born 4 September 1981 in Salford, Greater Manchester, England is a rugby league player for Whitehaven in National League One.Rob Jackson's position of choice is as a centre and he can also play on the wing....
circa-2005 - Chris Jones circa-2005
- Philip "Phil" Jones http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Phil_Jones.html circa-2005
- Jason KentJason KentJason Kent is a professional rugby league player. He is somewhat of a utility back, mainly filling in at Lock or Half-Back/Five-Eighth but he can also play in the centres....
circa-2005 - James KingJames King (rugby league)James King is a professional rugby league footballer who at representative level has played for Ireland, and at club level for Barrow Raiders, and Leigh Centurions, playing at , i.e. number 11 or 12.-International honours:...
http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/James_King.html circa-2005 - Ian KnottIan KnottIan Knott is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s who at club level has played for Warrington Wolves, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, and Leigh Centurions, playing at , , , or , i.e. 3 or 4, 6, 11 or 12, or 13....
circa-2005
- Mark LeafaMark LeafaMark Vaiao born 4 December 1980 in New Zealand is a rugby league player who currently plays for and is the captain of the Norths Devils in the Queensland Cup...
circa-2005 - Steve McCurrieSteve McCurrieSteve McCurrie is an English former rugby league footballer. He was an England international and played at the 1995 Rugby League World Cup. He played club football for Hensingham ARLFC, and Widnes appearing in the 1993 Challenge Cup Final for them....
circa-2005 - Keiron Maddocks http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Keiron_Maddocks.html circa-2005
- Stephen "Steve" MadenStephen MadenStephen Maden Stephen Maden Stephen Maden (born 13 September 1982 in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Greater Manchester, England is a rugby league player for Leigh Centurions in National League One.Stephen Maden's position of choice is as a winger and he can also play at full-back....
circa-2005 - Richard MarshallRichard Marshall (rugby league)Richard Marshall is a professional rugby league footballer who at representative level has played for Ireland, and at club level for Halifax, Huddersfield-Sheffield Giants, London Broncos, and Leigh Centurions, playing at , or , i.e. number 8 or 10, or, 11 or 12.-International honours:Richard...
http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Richard_Marshall.html circa-2005 - Robert Mears circa-2005
- Richard MooreRichard Moore (rugby league)Richard Moore is a rugby league footballer who plays for the Crusaders. He has previously played for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, London Broncos, Bradford Bulls and Leigh Centurions. He is a Prop Forward.-External links:******- References :...
circa-2005 - Rex MossopRex MossopRex Peers Mossop was an Australian rugby league and rugby union footballer—a dual-code international, and an Australian television personality from 1964 until 1991.-Rugby union career:...
1952–55 - Nicholas "Nick" Owen http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Nick_Owen.html circa-2005
- McDonald Bailey 1953
- Paul RowleyPaul RowleyPaul Rowley born 12 March 1975 in Leigh, Greater Manchester, England is a coach and former rugby league player for Leigh Centurions in National League One.Paul Rowley's position of choice was as a hooker....
circa-2005 - Rob SmythRob SmythRob Smyth born 22 February 1977 in England is a rugby league player.Rob Smyth's position of choice is on the .He played for London Broncos, Warrington Wolves and Leigh Centurions in the Super League.Smyth was an Ireland international...
circa-2005 - Michael "Mick" Stacey (Testimonial matchTestimonial matchA testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
1982) - Craig StapletonCraig Stapleton (rugby league)Craig Stapleton is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the National Rugby League. Stapleton formerly played for St. George and St...
circa-2005 - Warren Stevens http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Warren_Stevens.html circa-2005
- Matthew "Matt" SturmMatthew SturmMatthew Sturm is a former professional rugby league footballer who played in New Zealand and in the English Super League. In 2010 and 2011 he was part of the Mount Albert Lions.-Early years:Sturm was a Glenora Bears junior...
http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Matt_Sturm.html circa-2005 - James "Jimmy" Taylor circa-2005
- Neil TurleyNeil TurleyNeil Jerome Turley is a retired professional rugby league player who played for Leigh Centurions.- Career start :Neil started his career as a junior with Wigan, coming through their Academy set-up...
circa-2005 - Colin Tyrer http://www.totalrl.com/features/content.php?feat_id=269&featcat_id=32 circa-1965
- Oliver WilkesOliver WilkesOliver Wilkes, is an English born Scottish professional rugby league footballer for the Harlequins club of Super League...
circa-2005 - John WilshereJohn WilshereJohn Wilshere is a Papua New Guinean professional rugby league footballer who recently left Salford City Reds at the end of the 2009 season.-Playing career:He is a household name in Papua New Guinea, where rugby league is the national sport...
circa-2005
Team records
- Highest attendance: 31,326 vs St Helens
- Biggest victory: 92-2 vs KeighleyKeighley CougarsKeighley Cougars are a professional rugby league club from Keighley in West Yorkshire, England. As of 2012 they will play in Co-operative Championship having won the Co-operative Championship 1 play off final 32-12 against Workington...
- Heaviest defeat: 4-94 vs Workington TownWorkington TownWorkington Town is a professional rugby league club playing in Workington in West Cumbria. They play in the Championship 1. Their stadium is called Derwent Park, which they share with Workington Comets, a speedway team....
- Biggest Leyther: Liam Devlin
Player records
- Most tries in a game: 6
- John "Jack" WoodJohn Wood (rugby league)John Wood is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Leigh, playing at , i.e. number 8 or 10.-International honours:...
vs YorkYork City KnightsYork City Knights Rugby League Club is a British professional rugby league club hailing from York. They play at the Huntington Stadium, situated to the north of York city centre...
, 1947 - Neil TurleyNeil TurleyNeil Jerome Turley is a retired professional rugby league player who played for Leigh Centurions.- Career start :Neil started his career as a junior with Wigan, coming through their Academy set-up...
vs Workington TownWorkington TownWorkington Town is a professional rugby league club playing in Workington in West Cumbria. They play in the Championship 1. Their stadium is called Derwent Park, which they share with Workington Comets, a speedway team....
, 2001
- John "Jack" Wood
- Most goals in a game: 15 by Michael "Mick" Stacey vs Doncaster, 1976
- Most points in a game: 42 by Neil TurleyNeil TurleyNeil Jerome Turley is a retired professional rugby league player who played for Leigh Centurions.- Career start :Neil started his career as a junior with Wigan, coming through their Academy set-up...
vs Chorley LynxBlackpool PanthersBlackpool & The Fylde Panthers RLFC was an English professional rugby league club based in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire. They played at Woodlands Memorial Ground owned by Fylde rugby union club...
, 2004 - Most tries in a season: 55 by Neil TurleyNeil TurleyNeil Jerome Turley is a retired professional rugby league player who played for Leigh Centurions.- Career start :Neil started his career as a junior with Wigan, coming through their Academy set-up...
, 2001 - Most goals in a season: 187 (inc 10 drop goals) by Neil TurleyNeil TurleyNeil Jerome Turley is a retired professional rugby league player who played for Leigh Centurions.- Career start :Neil started his career as a junior with Wigan, coming through their Academy set-up...
, 2004 - Most points in a season: 468 by Neil TurleyNeil TurleyNeil Jerome Turley is a retired professional rugby league player who played for Leigh Centurions.- Career start :Neil started his career as a junior with Wigan, coming through their Academy set-up...
, 2004 - Most career tries: 189 by Michael "Mick" Martyn, 1954–67
- Most career goals: 1,043 by James "Jimmy" LedgardJimmy LedgardJames "Jimmy" A. Ledgard was a Rugby League World Cup winning for; Dewsbury, Leigh, England, and Great Britain,He left Dewsbury for a record fee of £2,650 in January 1948, bought by Leigh, .Ledgard made 334 appearances for Leigh after joining the club from Dewsbury in 1948, scoring a record 1,043...
, 1948–58 - Most career points: 2,492 by John WoodsJohn Woods (rugby league)John Woods is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s, '80s and '90s, and coach of the 1980s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Leigh , Bradford Northern, Warrington, and Rochdale Hornets, playing at , or /, i.e...
, 1976–85, 1990–92 - Most career appearances: 503 by Albert WorrallAlbert WorrallAlbert Worrall is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1920s and '30s who at representative level has played for England, and at club level for Leigh, playing at , i.e...
, 1920–38