Thursday night saw the Centurions host a Season Launch Night to a sold out Banqueting Suite at Leigh Sports Village. The well attended event was opened up by General Manager David Bradshaw who told the crowd about the demise of the Game-on Magazine and revealed the Centurions would again be producing a programme in 2011.
Leigh's Salford-esque new shirt was on view and it was better than the sketches but still received a mixed reaction. That said in my opinion it will be smart enough with a pair of jeans and there is hope that Santa delivers one to this journalist!
Chief Executive Allan Rowley then took over proceedings and introduced Head Coach Ian Millward to the audience. Millward spoke about training, differing emphasis and his hopes of seeing several young players develop their games further in 2011.
Millward's backroom staff of Assistant Coach Paul Rowley, Reserve Coach Neil Jukes and Player Performance Manager Gary Eccleston were introduced and each gave a quick round-up on progress in their areas at the moment with Rowley helping to implement the current weights and fitness programme, Jukes spoke of his pride in seeing four regular members of last years Reserve side in the first team squad for 2011 and revealed the competition has become Under-23s for the new season. He was also hopeful of more players being able to make the step up in the not too distant future. Eccleston also gave an insight on how the Centurions are looking to the future with the new scholarship which Leigh will be running from next season.
It was then the turn of the players to take centre-stage - literally as each was summoned, given a rousing reception as their favourite song belted out over the sound system and then had to face some questions from the Chief Executive. We heard all about players getting a liking for using rowing machines, about Stuart Littler's hopes for the season ahead and also saw a new svelt Mick Nanyn. We also heard reference to Anthony Nicholson's Tuna and Egg diet and the hopes of Jamie Ellis to be playing against men next season, with Allan Rowley quickly quipping that he'd been outstanding in a recent game against Haydock Ladies! It was all good fun and the players were in good humour with team spirit appearing high amongst the group.
The first team squad list was revealed as follows:
| 1 Stuart Donlan |
| 2 Steve Maden |
| 3 Stuart Littler |
| 4 Mick Nanyn |
| 5 Dean McGilvray |
| 6 Martyn Ridyard |
| 7 Robbie Paul |
| 8 Chris Hill |
| 9 John Duffy |
| 10 Ricky Bibey |
| 11 James Taylor |
| 12 Tommy Goulden |
| 13 Steve Nash |
| 14 Adam Higson |
| 15 Andy Thornley |
| 16 Anthony Nicholson |
| 17 Craig Briscoe |
| 18 Danny Meekin |
| 19 Jon Pownall |
| 20 Sam Hopkins |
| 21 Matty Blythe |
| 22 Tom Armstrong |
| 23 Mick Govin |
| 24 Andy Gorski |
| 25 Jamie Ellis |
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