I think what quite a few people are missing is that the clubs finances are another reason why the club is having to move in this direction..
If the Leigh fans want a winning team capable of getting into SL then this partnership bringing the odd top class youngster into the club is a good move we have,nt got the money to bring in class established players youth is the way to go look at Wigans team plenty of young players in there first team squad that's the way Leigh are going over the next few years and this tie up with Wigans youth will profit Leigh that I'm sure

I hardly think Wigan woud want to help you develop a team capable of geting into Super League this is not what they want you couldn`t have their own feeder club in Super League alongside them it would defeat their object.

Feeder club Wigan is Leigh's feeder club ...

I suppose some questions unanswered would be...

1) Why did our CEO change his opinion of this partnersip with Wigan after stating it wouldn't happen.

2) What happens to any Leigh players further down the pecking order player wise that loses a spot (temporarily) to a Wigan player , if we bring 5 in (which I'd imagine will happen at some point) how does this sit with the clubs new stance on looking after borough developed players - especially if the Wigan players are originally from out of the borough.

3) Have we said we will have a maximum figure of DR's from Wigan : ie if the RFL raise it to 7 or 8 next year (mindful its risen every year since it started and so many SL and Championship clubs have seemingly embraced the idea) would Leigh run with that as we have been keen on using DR since it commenced.

4 ) With this news in the pipeline and with Paul quite keen on a arrangement with Wigan (mindful of his piece in the papers pre season in which he mentioned how Leigh fans would be 'excited' about the quality of players Wigan would lend us )did this influence the boards willingness to put Paul on a new contract before a ball was kicked this season (a unusual one for a RL club to do) and was this why Richie left the club suddenly.

5) With our new found interest in developing the Boroughs youth is there a plan to get the boroughs populace aware of Leigh Centurions existance and if so are Wigan helping us do this as to some it would be viewed as a clear conflict of interest to both parties.

6) What input would any Wigan Warriors employee have on the day to day operations of Leigh Centurions , on or off field.

7 ) Wigan (and Mr Wane) have a history of not linking with Leigh (inparticular during Ian Millwards tenure), is the agreement breakable at any point (as per Mr Wanes stance on G Hock at Widnes for certain fixtures) or is it a legally binding document that neither party can break without the others agreement.

8 ) Does the CEO / Board and head coach feel this will enhance the 'I beLEIGHve' campaign or do they now feel by having to go into a partnership with a SL that this has probably signalled the end of that campaign.

9) With rumours of SL going to 2 leagues of 10 and some SL owners publicly speaking about that as a preference has Leigh had word from the RFL that it was unlikely we would be in that group of 20 so is this a reason why we have entered a partnership with Wigan some way into the season when other twinned clubs linked up much earlier (including Wigan with South Wales).

10 ) Was Leigh / Wigan the first choice for a partnership for both clubs or did both have other preferences that fell through.

11 ) I presume the board are fully aware that Fridays actions will outrage and disgust a lot of current Leigh fans as much as it may please or unfaze others, has it taken steps to ensure the club doesn't hit more financial trouble and has another potential shortfall following its actions, is there plans to entice Wigan fans to the LSV to watch some of there players play for Leigh for example or other means should a crowd drop occur.

12 ) If this partnership collapses is there a Plan B for Leigh Centurions and if so what is it.

I refer you to a previous post on another (more lengthy! ) topic. If you were to ask Wigan whether they want Leigh in SL, you would probably be surprised by their answer.

Quite simply with 2 off field employees we have NO chance of SL

Having read the feedback on the forum since I posted I don't think I will bother approaching the BoD re a forum as it seems that people have taken firm positions and debate would not improve hints but may inflame them.

It has certainly reminded me why I've never got involved with the official side of things though!

Ps - as I have lived in Appley Bridge for 28 years I obviously would not be welcome by some posters on here as living within the wards of Leigh is a necessity for knowing the right thing to do for the club!

In fairness it was a fair idea put across by someone who obviously cares about the club but I suspect emotions would run exceptionally high.
I think this announcement has actually managed to divide our remaining support base (and I'm not just talking about views from the internet forums) which as you alluded to can be exceptionally damaging to the club and its future.
Maybe things will calm down over time but with everything else going on in the game which is annoying people I suspect the timing of this couldn't have been any worse if indeed there is ever a right time for Leigh to announce its partnering with Wigan.

The trouble is that many similar questions have been asked at recent fans forums and the answers appear to have changed significantly since then.

Something of a middle ground may be a clear, concise statement from the club (or both?), detailing in plain English EXACTLY the aims, benefits and long term plans of the partnership.

Toady , please do not take this stance , everyone is entitled to an opinion , wherever they are from , your ideas and views are always most welcome .