Having just lost Sean Penkywicz (a key player in our squad) to a serious knee injury we have for the past month been operating with just one experienced hooker (Bob Beswick) in what is a make or break season for Leigh.
I happen to believe that Mickey Higham could well make a vital difference in our ambition to achieve Super League status. If my belief turns out to be correct then the negotiated release deal including a fee of £50k will be the best £50k ever spent in the history of the Leigh club. It will, I understand, give us access to £1.8M in Sky money just for starters. If this move does not pay off then it will have been a gamble very well worth taking.
It seems that the Warrington owner, Simon Moran, has perhaps a little more business acumen and commercial awareness than the coach. It would appear that he has allowed a negotiation to be conducted and agreement reached to the satisfaction of both clubs.
Referring to some of the comment on this thread - I would be embarrassed to accuse Mickey Higham of bailing out or for his coach to infer that he is not committed after what he has given to the Warrington club.
It was common knowledge to everyone outside the Warrington club, never mind those within the club, that Mickey Higham's contract was up at the end of this season and that he was completely within his rights to speak to other clubs. If Smith was so apparently keen to keep Mickey Higham then he should have offered him a decent new contract - months ago. Instead he decided to throw all his teddies out of the pram when one of his most committed players decided he must look to secure the future for himself and his family.

I repeat - welcome home Mickey and rest assured your efforts will be fully appreciated by everyone in Leigh.

I've waited 44 years to 'pinch' a player off Warrington and, if any of your fans are annoyed he's left, good!
In 1971 following Leigh's CC triumph at Wembley, our Talisman leader Murph joined Wire quickly followed by Kevin Ashcroft, Dave Chisnall and Geoff Clarkson ! this ripped the heart out of our team and inspired a rapid demise in our playing strength, players were signed then to a club not on contracts, like today i'm sure there were no irregularities then
I hope the deal to sign Micky was so low, it was down a Coal Mine!
Tony Smith is an arrogant, sarcastic person who I have despised since the days when he Parachuted Huddersfield down to the lower division. Thanks to their Millionaire owner they were able to retain much of their SL team on a full time basis and, Smith never gave Leigh or the other clubs much credit with his arrogance !
Chris Hill signed for (quite legally) Wire midway through our season and, whilst Leigh fans were naturally upset to see Chris go we wished him the best because it was the right move for him and his family at that time! I'm sure Chris never gave less than his best for Leigh but, the fact he was leaving must have had affected his mindset?
This move is the right move now for Micky and his family and Smith's comments about not knowing someone properly have, only increased my despise for him!
I would advise Tony Smith to try a Dummy, it seems to work for Babies

With Leigh losing Penky and needing a quality hooker immediately I would hazard a guess that after Smith told him he wasnt wanted by the contract offer, Highams agent was tasked with finding him a job with Leigh his preferred choice. Leigh probably explained that they would love Mickey but due to Penkys injury needed a replacement NOW and that they were talking to other players with that in mind.

I wonder if the truth will ever come out, but we have got a great player who may lead us to the promised land

So us there no truth in the rumour that Micky was given a letter a few weeks ago that said he was free to talk to other clubs.........

Been one of the club's big stars for years, out of contract, coming to the end of an excellent career which he's always wanted to finish at his home town club who are on the rise and made him a very good offer. And Tony Smith doesn't have a good word to say about him! Is a bit pathetic. Still, we've got a top quality player in a position we need, who'll bring knowledge and experience of playing against SL teams, who'll help develop our young up and coming players AND we've annoyed Tony Smith! The arrogant sod. Can't ask for more than that.

I really wanted to be at the Summer Bash anyway, but alas this year I am on my ass & just can't afford it or the annual leave required.

Now that Mickey will be playing, I foresee the the travelling Leigh Army will be huge, at least bigger than already expected. I am sure you will all have a great day, I am even more jealous of you guys than I was before.

I asked in the original Higham thread if he might not be a little old, but on reflection this is great business for Leigh, not as claimed opposite by a HKR fan on the Virtual Terrace.

£50k for a possible £1 Million + return is worth every last penny.

Let's also factor in the Moi Moi effect & we will see yet further increase to our average home attendances & a big rise in season ticket sales next season, further swelling the coffers for a sustained attack on Super League.

It's a no brainer really.

Welcome home Mickey & get well soon Penky.

Leigh lads wanting to play for Leigh,

What's not to Love ?

And if Chris hill had left halfway through the season and left you in the lurch you'd probably not like him as much...but he's an excellent professional and were he in the same boat as higham he would've behaved like Morley and just seen his contract out with us. I wish higham well and Leigh well but mickey has blotted his copybook with smith and most wire fans

I don't think mickey will lose sleep over TS he's certainly no angel in all of this,as you would like people to believe.

I like your avatar, who is it?

Mine's Smith.

Now THAT made me laugh.

And mine

Most Leythers have a pet hate of the Pies - not me, mine is Warrington. I have never forgiven them for what happened in 1971 and anything that upsets them is fine by me.

Ironically for Wire, our share of the gate receipts for the QF, plus the prize money for reaching the last 8 will pay for the signing fee, or the bulk of it! I would imagine that this revenue was not budgeted for and therefore you can see why Derek felt able to spend it on a transfer fee.

I don't suppose wire wanted to pay Micky much as he is 34 and, they have had fantastic value out him and 'old' players, should, be getting less! As you say, £50.000 is a lot for a 34 year old, tell me, just how much is 34 year old Kurt Gidley receiving to come to Wire next season? ill bet its more than £50 grand
The record books will show who gave Wire the best value for money service, Higham or, Gidley! I know who my moneys on