Leigh fans will think Jukes should win it. He's done very well.
But Batley fans will think Kear should win it. He's done wonders to get Batley in the top 3 on a tiny budget.
And London fans will think Henderson should win it, and they've got a point too, they were poor last season when he took over and have become an extremly consistent and impressive team with only one really high-profile signing (and that came towards the backend of the season).

All 3 have strong cases because they have clearly faced different tasks and different circumstances. If Jukes wins it, fair enough, as I say he's done very well, but suggestions that only a conspiracy could prevent him from being the rightful winner are silly.

I as a Leigh fan thinks the Leigh representatives are third in the pecking order whilst thoroughly deserving their nominations.

Any one of the other two in each category will be deserved winners

On the Coach of the year i think that Neil could be overlooked by the "with the squad he has any one could coach that team" brigade, who of course will choose not to be aware of the circumstances he had to deal with at the start of his tenure as head coach and the change of playing style and structure he has successfully introduced .

Not to mention the following circus acts/distractions he has had to deal with, as his tenure proceeded: -

The Ryan Brierley fiasco
The Rangi Chase fiasco
His predecessor 'poaching' the likes of Liam Kay, Jonny Pownall, Andrew Dixon, Jake Emmitt (particularly deviously it would appear) and Greg Worthington - all announced at critical times of the season.

The departure of Matthias Pala, just before the season start.

The 'non availability' of Bob Beswick and Sam Barlow for the entire season.

Virtually season-long injuries to Willie Tonga and Gregg McNally!

Yes, John Kear (as always) and Andrew Henderson have had excellent seasons, but I wonder what dramas they had to contend with?

Anyway, why wasn't Richard Marshall nominated? He won the award after taking 'Fax from 3rd to 4th. I'd have thought he was nailed on after guiding them to 6th!!

"Kingstone Press Championship Club of the Year: @LeighCenturions"

"Kingstone Press Championship Coach of the Year: @BatleyRLFC's John Kear"

Congrats to John, massive achievement on a shoe string budget.

Can't help but feel if the vote had taken place a few weeks later though Jukesy would have won it but can't begrudge Batley after such a great season.

"Kingstone Press Championship Young Player of the Year: @LondonBroncosRL's James Cunningham"

"And the big one.. Championship player of the year is @LeighCenturions captain Micky Higham!"

Only ever one winner for this one!

Micky!

Well done Mickey.
Gutted for Jukesey but adds a bit of spice to Saturdays game.

I've always liked and respected John Kear. The man works miracles and Batley have improved beyond recognition - mainly as a result of some very astute signings (e.g. Brambani and Walker) That said, for me there is only one Championship Coach of the Year - our own Neil Jukes. Trophies are unimportant - what matters is that we know, and let Neil know, that he has been the very best this season.

Neil Jukes - MY coach of the Year.

I think next year we should have a new COTY Award [i*Couch Of The Year[/i
I nominate my burgundy couch as ....

A) It is the most Burgundy
&
B) I signed it on a shoestring *free loan from the Outlaws*

I do fear that next year it will go to another [ibeige couch[/i though.

It's just not bloody fair.

Oh & well done John Kear, always liked him & his style, thoroughly pleasant chap.

Well done to Jukesy & Mickey & all the players & staff at Leigh Centurions, from the very top to the very bottom ....


Thank you.

The national press seem to agree with it. A lot of the papers mentioned Batley's qualification for the 8s and mentioned their lack of financial clout. In the nationals that I've seen, Leigh's promotion has elicited barely a mention. There is, however, only one coach whose hand I would like to shake and that coach was celebrating at LSV last Saturday!