This issue of The Centurion has a slightly different feel to it. This is because our usual editor Alan Edge is on holiday. As a result Dave Parkinson stepped into the editorial chair for the first time since 2008.

  Inside this edition:

  Deputy Editor Dave Parkinson has been a busy man!

  He has:

  Written the profile on our visitors Batley.

Penned match reports from Leigh’s last three games against Batley, Hunslet and Halifax.

Got the views of Head Coach Ian Millward.

Interviewed Paul Rowley to find out about the build-up to the biggest day of his career – Leigh’s 2006 Northern Rail Cup Final appearance.

Interviewed new signing Paul Smith to find out more about the former Halifax man.

Continued his history update with In Season 2004.

Updated his usual myriad of stats.

Given an update on the progress of the club’s young Reserve team.

  Other items NOT written by Dave include:  

  Chief Executive Allan Rowley tells us how it is.

  James Gordon poses a question about the Northern Rail Cup in his comment piece.

  Robbie Paul gives us his views on the club and that Batley defeat last Sunday.

  Bob Shuttleworth looks back at the superb Second Division Championship team and season of 1985-86.

  Lynda Pike updates us on the travel arrangements for the next few away games and tells us all about the LISA organisations latest fundraiser – support it if you can!

  Lyndsey Smith informs of events at the LSV and reaction to last weekend's international that drew 7,951 to the ground.

  Shaun Currie reminds us all about the RESPECT policies that are in place at the LSV after recent events at the Halifax game.

  The Club departments tell us what is going on at the Centurions.

  New Matchday Announcer Pete Pinnington introduces himself.

  Wayne Keegan & Maurice Jones once again bring the programme to life with their excellent images and special thanks to Maurice this time for his 2004 picture.

  My thanks go to all contributors and interviewees for their time and efforts.

  Enjoy the read and join us for the next edition when (hopefully) Alan will be back from his holidays.

Editor Alan Edge gives us the lowdown of what's in this issue of "The Centurion".

  ROBBIE PAUL analyses the Widnes game and looks forward to hosting Featherstone

  IAN MILLWARD also looks back on Widnes

  DAVE PARKINSON updates his stats, pens the reports for the recent games with Widnes both First Team and Reserves, and resumes his ‘In Season’ feature. Dave and I have come up with a joint preview of Featherstone.

  ALLAN ROWLEY spells out why tonight wasn’t our favoured date for this game.

  BOB SHUTTLEWORTH looks at the Captain Morgan Trophy.

  JAMES GORDON, TONY WILLIAMS, STEVE MANNING and LYNDSEY SMITH are all missing, but Dave Parkinson comes up trumps, with interviews with Ian Mort, John Duffy, (in the Visitors feature) Robbie Paul, Martyn Ridyard and Paul Cullen!!

  MAURICE JONES and WAYNE KEEGAN’s photos again provide the ‘visuals’.

  ‘ALEX’s DAD’ recounts part 1 of how he got to Limoux – an excellent read!

  SHAUN CURRIE is determined to stamp out smoking in the stadium!

  ALAN EDGE comments on confusion and greed and has another selection of unwitting quotes from the Game’s personalities.

  Thers's even a little QUIZ for you - courtesy of 'reffy'!

  At the time of writing this I’m not sure what will be in the COMMUNITY and
COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENTS articles, but I’m sure they will be there!

  It might seem short, but there’s still 52 pages, including the regular LOTTERY and LISA news.

We are back for another bumper issue this week:

  Virtually all the correspondents have something to say about volcanic ash, and long breaks in France!

  ROBBIE PAUL gives the players’ perspective on the trip and, as usual comes up with the positives. He also divulges his special relationship with Ricky Bibey! 

  IAN MILLWARD looks back at the last three games – two of which were over t’Channel.

  LYNDSEY SMITH previews forthcoming events at LSV

  DAVE PARKINSON updates his stats, pens three match reports and reminisces on the 2001 season that promised so much, and ended in tears. Any guesses on who the leading player is in the 'try assist' race, so far this season? Find out in 'The Centurion'! 

  ALLAN ROWLEY compares hospitality in Toulouse, with Limoux!

  BOB SHUTTLEWORTH looks at Leigh v Sheffield history and looks back at an all-conquering Leigh Schools team. There are some familiar names and faces there!

  JAMES GORDON looks at likely fixture chaos in the Championships

  TONY WILLIAMS has been given leave of absence this week, to do some alternative writing – his university dissertation! Good luck Tony.

  GARETH WALKER writes in praise of Barrow! We’ll forgive him this once, as the Raiders’ Cup achievement was tremendous.

  MAURICE JONES and WAYNE KEEGAN showcase their customary excellent action photos and are joined this week, by STEFAN SALE. I can’t praise Maurice and Wayne enough – they do so much to bring the pages of ‘The Centurion’ to life.

  STEVE MANNING returns with a gripe about how BARLA is going about deciding what time of the year to play their competitions.

  SHAUN CURRIE attempts to explain the rationale behind some of the Stadium Ground Regulations.

  ALAN EDGE attempts a preview of Sheffield, without using any of the material he used when they were last at LSV, in July! He's also managed to unearth a report of the Limoux game from a different angle – a French newspaper. But I can’t help thinking something got lost in the translation!

  The COMMUNITY STAFF celebrate another successful application for ‘Aimhigher’ funding. You only have to see the initiatives they are involved in, to realise how active this department is.

  COMMERCIAL Department remind us again about the upcoming Corporate Cup competition.

  And finally, just to touch on that volcano again, the club has received a letter from RFL CEO Nigel Wood. This letter is reproduced in ‘The Centurion’ – it may just surprise some of you!

  All this, plus the regular LOTTERY and LISA news, plus GAME ON magazine – still for just £3!

For Sunday's cup tie with Wath Brow, we are producing an abbreviated magazine. As we anticipate a smaller 'gate' than usual, with lower sales, we have opted for the cost savings associated with a smaller programme. Even so, at 32 pages, I believe the programme will still be larger than we have previously produced, at this stage of the competition.

I hope that the programme will be on sale this week, at Leigh East ARLFC, prior to our game.

 

Ian Millward gives his thoughts on the Barrow draw, and explains his decision to go for the tap penalty, with time running out.

Robbie Paul draws parallels between the Leeds/Melbourne World Club Challenge, and our game with Barrow.

Dave Parkinson provides all the usual match reports, 'stat attacks' and a report on the Reserves. He also previews Wath Brow Hornets.
I voice misgivings about Dual Contracts and have a go at the RFL – not like me, I know! I also have an apology for one of our players!

This week's final pen pics are Martyn Ridyard, Dale Cunniffe and Andy Ainscough
There are the usual features from the Commercial and Lottery Departments.

Due to space and time restrictions, the usual features from Bob Shuttleworth and  'outside correspondents', Gareth Walker, James Gordon, Tony Williams and Steve Manning will be absent. They will all return for the Whitehaven game, later in March.
The superb match photos are provided by Wayne Keegan and Maurice Jones.

This week, the programme, plus 'Game On' is just £2.50 (and that is the recommended price for 'Game On', on its own!)

In this Thursday's match day magazine:-

 

Ian Millward reflects on the Featherstone game, and what a difference a week makes!

Robbie Paul was delighted at the Featherstone performance and the impact of the 'dual contract' players, but says the challenge is to repeat such performances consistently, starting tonight.

Dave Parkinson provides all the usual match reports, 'stat attacks' and a look back at 1998 season. He also previews Barrow, focussing on their new boys. Finally, sensing another free feed, Dave went along to the Co-op Championship Lunch – sorry Launch!
Gareth Walker looks at Oldham's problems in finding a home.

James Gordon eyes Toulouse, with suspicion!

Tony Williams is excited at the prospect of shocks, in the Challenge Cup

I am amazed at the blind optimism of our SL coaches, in 'Quote/Unquote', and have peered from under my cap, to have a go at a couple of TV matters.

Bob Shuttleworth looks back at Leigh and Barrow connections

This week's pen pics are Danny Meekin, Ian Mort and Jamie Durbin.
Unfortunately, the LSV material has once again not been received in time, but this has given Dave Parkinson an opportunity to showcase the recent Reserve friendly game.

There are the usual features from BARLA, LISA, and the Commercial and Community Departments.
I am indebted to Wayne Keegan once again, for his superb images of the win over Featherstone.
And remember, you still get all this, plus 'Game On' for just £3!! (compared with just 'Game On' for £2.50, as we are seeing at other Championship grounds)

 

Ian Millward looks back at the Oldham and York games, and spills the beans on who the 'Dual Contract' players are! Robbie Paul also looks back ruefully at the York game and shoulders much of the responsibility for what happened. Dave Parkinson provides all the usual match reports, 'stat attacks' and a look back at 1997 season. (when a certain 'Mr Chairman' was coach!) He also previews Featherstone and has captured an interview with their captain, Stuart Dickens. Gareth Walker argues that the days of inflated player contracts, in the Championship, are over. James Gordon is horrified at the growing move amongst SL clubs to reduce their elite league to 12. Tony Williams has a real blast at the BBC! I really like this guy - so much that he can have my flat cap! He makes my pop at SL look quite tame! I have also written an update on the NR Cup, and targeted an Aussie, a couple of Brits, and a New Zealander, in 'Quote/Unquote' Bob Shuttleworth continues to evoke memories - this time of Leigh v Fev clashes. I don't know where he gets all his material! This week's pen pics are Mike Morrison, Steve Nash and Adam Higson. Lyndsey Smith returns to tell us what's going on at LSV The Community Department unveil an exciting new project and are looking for your input. There are the usual features from BARLA, LISA (Lynda please note!!) and the Commercial Department. Maurice Jones and Wayne Keegan have, once again, produced a batch of exciting action shots of the games against Oldham and York And remember, you get all this, plus 'Game On' (if the RFL have delivered it!) for just £3

Featherstone Rovers are in town this week and we've got quite a bit to catch up on since our Oldham edition. Both myself and editor Alan Edge hope you are enjoying the new look programme and are always willing to listen to feedback.

  One piece of news we need to pass on is that sadly Don Boyle will not be continuing his involvement with "The Centurion". I for one would like to thank Don for his input over the last 14 months.

  It will once again be a packed issue and will go on sale around the ground on Sunday priced £3.00.

  My contribution to this issue includes:

• Match Reports from our games with Oldham and York.
• In Season continues as I look back at 1997.
• I go "all statto" again with Facts n Stats and we continue our search for "most creative Centurion".
• We look at Featherstone Rovers, their recruitment and chat to skipper Stuart Dickens.
• Boss Ian Millward gives all his reaction to the Centurions first two competitive games of the season.

 
I'm sure Alan will bring you up to date with the rest of "The Centurion" contents as the week progresses.

On Sunday, we welcome back two of last season's stalwarts:- 

 

Gareth Walker previews the start of the NR Cup.

Tony Williams expresses very forthright thoughts about the Crusaders! Much more like that and I'll have to give him my flat cap, although he does describe his views as "treading carefully between flat-capper and foaming at the mouth expansionist!"

 

Also:-

 

Robbie Paul explains why he felt Sunday's display was an improvement, for the Centurions.

Ian Millward expresses disappointment at the absence of Wigan's stars, but he too takes some positives out of last week's game.

Dave Parkinson previews Oldham, continues his stats updates and his look into the past.

James Gordon queries the value of pre-season 'friendlies' and has a 'pop' at one of our (and Paul Rowley's) favourite refs!

Bob Shuttleworth lists a multitude of Leythers who played for Oldham, and a similar number of players who graced both teams!

Steve Manning looks back at the BARLA County 'Tri-series'

Alan Edge strives to maintain his 'flat-cap' image.

Oldham fan Paul Whitworth is the first supporter to contribute to 'A Fan's View' and he remembers a clash between the sides, that didn't go the distance! Three Oldham fans asked to write an article, but we've only had two Leythers volunteer so far!

At the time of going to print we had not, unfortunately, received an article from LSV.

Ian Colbert pens a moving tribute to a friend, the late Roy Wilson

 

Cheers,

 

Alan

This week's edition of 'The Centurion' is almost back to full capacity. There are 48 pages, compared with last season's League games of 52 – however, there are 34 pages of 'editorial', which is actually more than last season!

 

In 'The Centurion', on Sunday:-

 

ROBBIE PAUL becomes the first player, to my knowledge, to contribute a regular article. He intends to spill the beans on what goes on in the 'locker room'. (an Antipodean term, obviously!)

 

IAN MILLWARD becomes the third Leigh coach, in twelve months, to have a 'corner' of the magazine!

 

LYNDSEY SMITH, PR & Promotions Manager of LSV, also commences a regular column. I hope this will highlight how LSV and the Club are starting to pull together.

 

All DAVE PARKINSON's regular stats. features and match reports return, plus his second instalment of 'In Season' – an ambitious attempt to continue where Mike Latham left off in his excellent book, 'Leigh RLC – A Comprehensive Record'. Dave also comes over all nostalgic about the recent bad weather!

 

ALLAN ROWLEY proposes an interesting, alternative format for Super League, and JAMES GORDON poses the question, 'Should SL be the be-all, end-all, for Championship clubs?'

 

BOB SHUTTLEWORTH looks at a Leigh legend, Trevor Allan.

 

Wigan Media Manager, GRAHAM EMMERSON, gives us the low-down on the 2010 Warriors.

 

YOURS TRULY has penned the usual features, but changed the names – and not just to 'protect the innocent!'

 

Also in The Centurion', are the usual features from the COMMERCIAL, LOTTERY, LISA and COMMUNITY departments and STEVE MANNING's BARLA round-up.

 

All this for just £3 – amazing!

We at "The Centurion" can confirm that an abridged Warrington programme will be on sale at the game tomorrow.

Many thanks,

Dave Parkinson.