Not sure what Derek is trying to do here, I guess he's frustrated that SL don't come easy.
Im pretty sure all the clubs sign up to the rules of the comp, if they want to play in it.

Derek can pay what he wants, and the RFL can deduct points, but if his club are not playing by the same rules then I cant see how that is a restriction of trade. Can Halifax play with 14 men, not have to touch the ball down and wear NFL gear? No! Not if they want to gain league points.

Can Derek pay Millions of pounds for the Queensland State of Origin players to join Leigh? Yes! If he wants to pay players millions and play Friendlies then that's fine, if he wants to play in the Championship, he knows the rules.

I'm sure Littlerich will be having Barrow flashbacks. Derek would be best served working within the rules to get some reform if he feels that strongly, this may be his goal, and this is just his opening gambit.

An interesting thought but... what would happen if Derek spent way over the cap, got points deducted but Leigh scraped 4th and still made it to the Qualifiers? They would then have a squad possibly more expensive than SL's bottom sides. So, what kind of points deduction would actually punish a side? and should this effect the Qualifiers also?
Derek is obviously showing frustration that he has the money to spend, and the willingness, but possibly feels Championship sides wont get an even playing field.

We could end up with a 3 tier structure if were not careful, and Derek possibly needs to remember for all the money he has spent, has he got the right players, the right coaches and best Academy set up? He seems in a hurry, I'd echo Alans comments, and add what happens if Derek gets players on 3 year contracts over and above the cap, then gets fed up with the RFL and RL and walks away? hes left Leigh in a right mess, and theres no point saying he wouldn't do that, things can turn sour very quickly in professional sport.

I remember when we lost a load of our better players in SL, and then the Left overs got a points deduction the following season, we got relegated and despite a GF and NRC success, are probably only now recovering fully and re-building bridges with the town, local clubs, businesses and Fans.

If there was a Derek at Fax, as much I would be enjoying the increased crowds, finishing top of the league, getting a couple of SL scalps, I'd also be very nervous that one mans folly can quite quickly turn into a Rugby towns nightmare.

I'm glad we have our BOD's and our Coach, needless to say, wouldn't swap places for all the Pies in Wigan.

My appetite for pies is legendary, however I wholeheartedly agree with you.

IF this were to happen, it'd be the first time a club in this country has purposely set out to break the salary cap rather than fall foul of badly wording or unclear rules. And if Leigh do break the cap on purpose then I would hope the RFL would take a look at how the NRL dealt with a similar case and apply the same sanctions to Leigh or any club that takes this stance

It's obvious Derek is trying to emulate his mate Koukash by thinking he is above the law and to he'll with the rules, only thing is he is a cheap imitation of Koukash not having the financial clout the doctor has , however he can't be allowed to ride roughshod over the RFL and must be told.

Let him flaunt the rules, the deductions for technical breaches have been quite severe so blatantly flaunting the rules would probably see them relegated. I wouldnt worry one little bit, like Mr Jagger says DB is just a wannabe Koukash without the money.