Great post.

It is something I have been looking forward to for a long time in that the Good Doc joins Leigh, can you imagine how exciting it is to be a Leigh fan with this news?

As stated previously there has been a lot of calls mainly from the Fan's of the "richer" clubs to increase the Salary Cap, if this increase does come about it will surely ruffle a few feathers with Leigh's new spending power, will it make some SL clubs consider how they will want any new structure to be formulated?

What if it is deemed we go back to a Licencing Structure, if in any list of criteria that is drawn up for entry to SL to include having an Academy as was in the last Framing the Future document the RFL have in essence barred any team but for the 10 who were granted an Academy Licence for the next 7 years from applying. Leigh had everything in place to run an academy for next season and even £400K to set aside to finance it, it was obvious to me that the licences were granted on a geographical basis until the about turn from pressure got the decision for Cas and HKR reversed, Leigh were not granted an academy licence in my opinion because of the locallity to Wigan, Saints and Wire but then again the RFL were not strong enough to to only allow two of those three to continue running an academy in a crowded area.

Even if we do go to a 2 x10's structure that could still be done as a Licence for SL1 and SL2, so if we do go back to Licencing I would suggest that having an academy is not part of the criteria for entry into SL but a mandatory requirement for every team in SL 1 when chosen to have to run one.

I would also make it a stipulation of any criteria to include a commitment to spend money both on and off the field, to promote the fan base and supplement the community game in their locality, and to commit to a certain level of spend on the Salary Cap, and this would have to be rubber stamped by means of a 'Bond' being placed, repayable annually over 3 to 5years, any club defaulting on the financial commitments losses the 'Bond'.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p09r8tjp LINK, Yesterdays inteview with Dr Koukash begins at 34:40 mins, previous to that Derek Beaumont has some views on the game begins at approx 5:20 mins

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p09r8tjp LINK, Yesterdays inteview with Dr Koukash begins at 34:40 mins, previous to that Derek Beaumont has some views on the game begins at approx 5:20 mins

With potential new investment to strengthen Leigh's squad, I'm almost certain that the SL/RFL will scupper any plans by relegating Leigh.

The game has a nasty habit of self sabotage.

Or put another way, it's a shame the RFL TWICE turned down the offer to buy Bradford from sugar daddies. The RFL have always wanted compliance from Bradford owners, not wealth or sustainability.

The owners of Wigan, Wire, Leeds & Saint's wouldn't be worried about Leigh being cashed up, Hull K.R's owner talked about leaving in recent times though they do well with whatever budget they have. Maybe the owners of Wakefield, Salford, Cas & Huddersfield will be more concerned with any challenge to their long term positions at the top table & of course the owner of Giants - Ken Davey has a very influential position at the head of the SL table, it certainly wouldn't suit old Ken !!!

If the ‘good doctor’ has learned from his failings at Salford - ie; stay out of rugby/playing decisions and have a little patience to build rather than wanting instant success, this could be a very good move for both Leigh and the game. Yes, he went a little OTT at times with his public outbursts but he can certainly get the media’s attention! Interesting to see what develops here.

What a ridiculous post, so because one club potentially has a new investor they should change the whole structure to make sure they don`t get relegated?

I can't see Derek Beaumont letting anyone else on board. Leigh Centurions is his baby.....for now. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/58304075

I can't see Derek Beaumont letting anyone else on board. Leigh Centurions is his baby.....for now. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/58304075

Koukash wants to be involved in the game but doesn't seem to know specifically how. Starts off with Salford, bids for Bradford, talks about Liverpool RLFC, flirts with Leigh. He's got a pretty non-specific desire to do something, but it seems to completely lack focus.

So on one hand Adam Pearson is calling out for private equity investment in the game (something that they already paid £500k, for then chose not to follow-up, as a few SL clubs weren't keen) and on the other there's Dr K who's got money to put in, but no clear direction of where to put it.

Meanwhile there's a bunch of uncertainty around what the league structure might look like next season.

So I can understand why any investment decisions might not be too straighforwards!

Yes. And don’t forget the new Cumbrian team he was creating.