Leigh Centurions are pleased to confirm that hooker Bob Beswick has agreed a two-year contract extension and will become a full-time player with the Club with effect from 1 December 2014.

Beswick, 29, who recently passed the milestone of 300 career appearances and went through the 50-try barrier last season, has been an integral part of the Centurions set-up since he joined the Club from Halifax in 2012.

“Bob won the Players’ Player of the Year Award last year which shows how highly regarded he is by his fellow players,” said Leigh Centurions Head Coach Paul Rowley. “He’s an all-round action man who plays well above his weight and is fully committed in training and matches.

“Bob is another piece in the jigsaw that’s been relatively easy to put together. He’s clearly enjoyed his time at our Club and we value him highly. We’ve been signing up players for next season steadily; Bob and I spoke some weeks ago and it’s been an ongoing dialogue with no dramas.”

Leigh Centurions Head of Rugby Derek Beaumont said: “I am pleased we have managed to secure Bob on a two-year full-time contract. I would describe him as a warrior, tough and uncompromising and a leader who is prepared to put everything on the line. He is a very committed and experienced player and one that has always formed part of Paul's plans, so it is pleasing that he has made the commitment required to take on the challenge of full-time rugby next season!”

Beswick graduated through the ranks of Wigan St Patrick’s ARL and started his career at Wigan Warriors, where he represented England Academy against the Australian Schoolboys in a historic win in 2003. He made 22 first-team appearances for the Warriors before joining Widnes in October 2005 and Halifax three years later. Beswick has made 19 international appearances for Ireland and played for them in the 2008 and 2013 World Cup competitions and has scored 13 tries and kicked one drop-goal in 79 games for the Centurions.

Great news !
Has been one of the corner stones of our team last season and this. He'd tackle a JCB if it carried a rugby ball.

So glad Bob is coming on the journey with us, he is a player who has got better with age.

Excellent news, he's a fantastic player. We really are going to have a very strong squad for getting into SL next year with all these full time signings, really don't know who'll be next now Bob is signed up, Sam Barlow maybe?

Top signing to get him fulltime - a very competent core squad building up.

No disrespect to anyone, but we need to add a bit more quality to take the next step - sure that will come in time,

Great news! Bob is a quality player, and one of our most under estimated players in my opinion, I'm sure he's won players player the last two years. His leadership is second to none and this is the signing that I was looking forward to the most.

Yet more great news. Does this club do bad news these days?

We are doing our best Rob!

Don't tempt fate, Rob!!

Let's be proud of our team and what they already have achieved 17/17 top of the league not finished yet I hear you say but for the fist time in a long time I am not hearing we will never catch Fev,Sheffield or fax or where not good enough. This team of ours has give us the belief to believe we can have it all.

Great news, top player is Bob.

Chuffed to bits that Bob's signed for us FT he's cut from the same cloth as Tommy G a absolute machine
I've always thought he should still be in SL with his ability & he certainly showed it in the world cup where he marshalled Ireland around the park with great effect & for me was their best player. I don't think Bob would look out of place in a top 4 SL club & like has been said Bob's got better with age but at 29 he's got plenty more seasons in him yet. Brilliant news & a great signing on our journey to SL

Possibly leaving the best until last. Delighted to say the least. Chuffed for Bob and glad he has stayed for the ride. We are (really) in this together

Fantastic news. I'm really pleased about this signing.

Bob has his own business as a personal trainer and it's a big decision for him to go full time . however once he quits playing his career is still there ,where a lot of players retire with nothing to fall back on .
Same applies with Tommy