Leigh Centurions can confirm the decision has been made by the Board of Directors in conjunction with the coaching staff not to run with a Reserves team for the 2016 season.

Reserves Head Coach Paul Anderson met with the Reserves players this evening to outline and explain the decision.

Leigh Centurions Head of Rugby Derek Beaumont has issued the following detailed statement. Mr Beaumont said: “I would like to start by thanking all the players who worked hard for our Reserves last season along with all the backroom staff, not least coach Paul Anderson and team manager Don Boyle who worked tirelessly on their behalf.

“The Reserves have had two good seasons since I returned to the Club, winning the league on both occasions and the grand final last year, only to narrowly miss out in the dying seconds of this year’s grand final and everybody associated with that should be extremely proud.

“Unfortunately, without being disrespectful, the competition didn’t really have enough teams and it was hard to make a complete season. The reserves area is currently in transition with some of the Super League clubs looking to run with the old style reserve team structure. We have been involved in discussions relating to this and were honoured to be invited to compete within that format. However, that will be an extremely tough competition and one that at this present time we couldn’t do justice.”

Mr Beaumont added: “The alternative to that, continuing as this year, wasn’t an option that we felt provided us with what we would have needed, in particular bringing back rested or injured players. A number of our reserves players have attracted attention from Championship and Championship One clubs who are offering them contracts and it would be wrong to prevent them from taking those opportunities to play a higher level of rugby.”

Mr Beaumont went on to explain that the decision had been reached after discussions with the coaching staff of Head Coach Paul Rowley, Assistant Coach Neil Jukes and assistants Paul Anderson and Simon Finnigan.

“We discussed this as a group, myself, Rolls, Jukesy, Finny and Ando and all agreed it was best to take a year out whilst we focus our energies on getting to Super League where we can build a platform to set up some solid structures to bring players through,” Mr Beaumont said.

“I am fully aware of the need to build a Club from the bottom up with academies and scholarships and internally we are assessing the viability of the three RFL academy structures moving forward. As an aspiring Championship club knocking on the door of Super League we need to assess the best medium to long term pathway, rather than ticking a short term box which has often been proven to limit the development of our younger players whilst also hindering the local community game which is so important to us.

“If you get relegated from Super League there is a protection where you can continue with the format so that has to be our primary focus. Irrespective of our central funding for next year this was our decision in the best interests of the Club.

“The youngsters we felt were the most promising in terms of making our first grade were given full-time contracts and are on loan where we maintain an interest in them. To this end Cameron Pitman, Chris Hankinson and Jamie Tracey are all on season long loans to Barrow Raiders in 2016. We will certainly keep our eyes on those players that now have to look elsewhere and those that have already been offered contracts in the professional game.

“Sometimes in life and business you have to take tough decisions that won’t always be popular but what is important is that you make the right one for the business at that time, removing all emotion and that I believe is what we have done on this occasion. As for Ando, well he will remain in his position in the coaching team with the first grade and spend more time on that aspect of the business whilst keeping in touch with the reserves level at Super League and if one continues in the Championship. That way when we are in a position to field a Super League reserves side he will be very much still well connected at that level.”

Mr Beaumont concluded: “That leaves me just to thank the sponsors of our Reserves who have been very committed and supportive and to also thank all our supporters who turned out in numbers on a regular basis to cheer the boys on. In both our grand finals we achieved crowds that would be the envy of some Championship clubs for their first grade and that is testament to the true depth of our support.

“We have a very exciting year ahead of us and are very aware of what is required of us, having gained the experience this year. I believe the energy towards the first grade and the signings that we have made will pay dividends in enabling us to then build a Reserves team to compete in the higher league. Thank you for your understanding and continued support and respect to all concerned.”

In other words. Due to the signing of Rangi Chase, we need to cut our reserves to get under the salary cap.

Wrong priority for me. Young talent before mercenary's salary.

Hopefully, we'll do what the owner says in his announcement and revert to a youth and reserve policy, if we get to SL - there's no future without the supply line of good youngsters.

Another worrying step towards the tried, tested and failed methods of a certain doctor at Barton bridge.

The club's business model is all wrong in my opinion..... boom or burst doesn't always work (Leeds United etc...)

I rather bring players through like Tommy Grundy, James Taylor, Chris Hill etc. than pay people's pensions.

What happens if we don't get promoted next year? Scary times

This was a very predictable move nobody should be surprised,it's all about making funds available, what next?Maybe a few of our first team squad leaving?It' maybe is why Rangis signing has not been announced by the club yet.

Makes the whole scenario poop or bust IMO

Not the way to run the club for me, but don't suppose anyone will give a fuss if we achieve the goal

if we achieve the goal. A big risk, one i hope comes off for us all. Time as in most things will tell, nobody would want to make this decusion i'm sure.

Its not the be all and end all,because we are skipping a year on the reserves (not the first time is it)..The goal is Superleague. If you want someone too blame,look at the RFL as they are watching this unfold right under their noses.

If a business man/woman sticks his/her money into something,he/she expects a return,that doesn't mean a financial return short term..Short term your only reward is success..

Leigh at present is still in a short term position and from a business point of view the reserve structure isn't viable within the business plan to move the club forward short term.

There's a lot riding on that promotion.

I watch every reserve team home game so I am sorry but I want to see the club I support back in the top league.

I back the decision however reluctantly.

Whatever the outcome next season as long as I live I will support Leigh Centurions and I know and am confident that our Board of Management know what they are doing.

Shouldn't you be 'tucked up in bed' by now Frank ?

Can't yet cos it won't be dry 4 a bit. Spilt my ensuite 30 minutes ago.

The thing is the reserve grade for the championship was poor and most of leighs players that will be ready to step up to 1st grade when ready have gone out on loan because of the higher level of competition,im sure the lads that have not gone out on loan would find a harder level than the reserves playing for east or miners and if they show the're good enough no doubt leigh will look to bring the lads back on board

I can't help but feel like this is simply a cashflow situation for you guys. It's not a salary cap issue tied into Rangi Chase somehow, because the salary cap only focuses on your first team squad.
I get Derek's point about the championship reserve league not being very good, but why aren't the Leigh reserves playing in the SL reserves league like the Bulls do? Your reserve team has won the league for the last two seasons so they are clearly good enough.

Apart from the names mentioned in the article who have gone to Barrow on loan, have the rest of your reserves squad been let go? That is a big decision to make, one that would make me uneasy if I were a Leigh supporter. Hopefully it works out for you guys, I hope Rangi is worth it!