I know but its going to take 2/3 years to get up to scratch just looked at Widnes. I was asking the question is the investment happening because they know promotion is defiantly returning.

In answer to your question we stepped in May/ June with the club facing possible administration and not able to pay the wages and mountains of historic debt long before any news on P&R was ever a reality, indeed it hasn't officially been confirmed that it's returning yet or in what structure/ format it will be as far as I'm aware?

It's not a poop or bust scenario which many current SL teams adapt and is a long term sustainable model to be built on year on year and we have put together a strong management team and cleared the historic debt and have restructured the whole business. I will not go into detail but I can assure you that we have a very prudently constructed budget which takes into account known revenues and costs (including salaries) and realistic estimates of variable revenues and costs.

Our philosophy has been to increase income and revenue streams and basically if we haven't got it we won't spend it.

In addition (and not part of revenues) we have significant equity commitments which are to be held in reserve against any unexpected occurrences from myself and other board members.

As a board we are mostly new to pro RL but we are treating it as we would any other business which we are involved in and implementing basic KPI reporting, weekly performance reviews, 8 week daily cashflow forecasting etc - people say RL is not like any other business but that is down to the emotional side.

We are not looking at failure as an option but the club will not be at risk should we not get into SL or should P&R not materialise.

I'm fortunate enough to have seen a Top Flight Leigh team beating the likes of Wigan with some of the finest international players (leigh lads) playing in a Leigh shirt in front of packed grounds and while we know it's a long road and a lot of finance and effort it's a road we are now on and travelling at a steady pace down.

We appreciate the help Wigan have given to us and would love to welcome you all on 19/01.

Best Wishes

Andy

I am really glad to hear that, I wish every club hierarchy could hand on heart honestly say they are willing to put that much effort in. Wish you all the success and i wish i could attend.

I will certainly be going, LSV is a great venue and the Leigh fans are some of the best in the sport.

On a separate note I believe this fixture should do something for the less fortunate in our area, and I will be talking to a director at Leigh next week to get some fund raising for the hospice sorted on the day, watch this space

Didn't mean any disrespect to Leigh, I hear what you're saying but there is a gulf in class within SL let alone between a top SL side like Wigan and Leigh. I'm not sure what benefit either club would get if we put out a strong 17 with only a couple of "kids" in it. Thumping you by 50-60 points wouldn't really help you or us?

Best of luck with the development plans. Having lived in Atherton as a lad in the 80s I was always amazed at the lack of development work in the local schools etc, Leigh has never really done enough work in the local communities. (No one from Leigh ever came to my primary school, which was 10-15 mins drive from Leigh's ground and the only sport we played was football). Atherton didn't even have an amateur club until a few years ago. If you are going to get anywhere near sustainability in SL terms then you are going to have to do a lot more to build interest in places like Atherton and Tyldesley. Apologies if I'm telling you what you already know!

I'm hoping to come on the 19th and hopefully it will be a decent turn out from both sets of fans.

I think a first choice Wigan would win by 18 or less at this stage of the season, no need to play the lockers or bowens but a strong team is needed for Wigan to be competitive

I agree with this assessment to a large extent as without doubt Leigh will be fully motivated for this game and it is very early season. I attended the World Cup game between Tonga and Cook Islands at the LSV. It was a brilliant atmosphere and a tremendous game. The LSV is a great venue and an ideal size for a team like Leigh who have great history and the potential to develop. Like others I wish them well. Another fierce local derby is preferable to having another Yorkshire side in Super League.

I didn't take offence mate, I knew what you were saying.

You make some great points and I appreciate the kind words.

All the best.

Andy

Which area of the LSV will Wigan fans be located? Is it still the seats behind the sticks?

That area has been designated but this is RL so those preferring a side view need west stand tickets, there is also a great pre match offer in corporate for meal and ticket with interviews speakers etc for £30,

We're heading for the West Stand (prefer watching from the side) However I went to Wigan today to get the tickets but they said that none had been received from Leigh yet!!!