Leigh Centurions are delighted to announce that Season Tickets for the 2021 Betfred Championship are now available to purchase.

Thanks to the amazing support of the vast majority of sponsors and season ticket holders in 2020 donating their refunds to the Club, head coach John Duffy has been given an increased budget to build upon the squad which unfortunately wasn’t able to fulfil the season in which it had started so well, with their last game against Super League opposition in Hull Kingston Rovers in the Coral Challenge Cup seeing them painfully lose in the last second despite playing for 20 minutes a man down.

With a host of exciting new additions being announced at the Club in recent weeks including Jamie Ellis, Blake Wallace, Adam Walker, Matty Gee and Ryan Brierley, plus the retention of much of our 2020 squad including Liam Hood, Matty Wildie, Junior Sau, Iain Thornley, Mark Ioane, Alex Gerrard, Jordan Thompson, Ben Hellewell, Ryan Shaw, Nathan Mason, Tom Spencer and Andy Thornley, Leigh Centurions are building a strong squad for what is bound to be another highly competitive year.

The building doesn’t stop with the recruitment of Super League players as John Duffy also invests in adding Super League experience to his backroom staff with the addition of Paul Johnson from Wigan Warriors as Head of Strength and Conditioning and Trent Bowden from Hull Kingston Rovers as Head Physiotherapist.

With a number of other Super League targets in the balance to complete the squad the operational board wanted to gauge the position of the RFL and member Betfred Championship clubs, along with its key sponsors and season ticket holders before further committing the Club to Super League contracts.

Leigh Centurions owner Derek Beaumont said: “The support of our fans and sponsors this season has been nothing short of amazing and is completely overwhelming and inspiring. It has put the Club in a safe position despite the difficulties both it and the sport of Rugby League have faced.

“However, with the renewed lockdown it is obviously causing concern amongst key partners of the game as to what will happen next season. There is a strong commitment from the RFL and the member clubs to get the season underway, even if that means behind closed doors to start with and as the RFL point out in their recent press release, they have the means via the ouRLeague app to satisfy fans through live streaming of the games.

“I therefore believe that there will be a meaningful season in which we can fight for promotion and want to continue to complete the squad we have targeted. I have agreement in principle with the remaining targets but as a board we are aware that the longer-term future of the Club is what is most important.

“If our fans are to commit to sponsoring and purchasing season tickets as they did this year, despite the uncertain times, then we can continue to build our squad and prepare it for pre-season. Without that support we will have to hold back on completing the squad with such quality targets as we cannot over commit the Club. My investment will only carry us so far and I would be over-committed if we did not sell sufficient season tickets and sponsorship (which largely contribute to the squad salaries).

“We have therefore decided to put tickets on sale now to afford people the opportunity of a longer direct debit scheme and to gauge the appetite for support during these times for next year’s squad and challenge for a return to Super League. I can confirm that all season ticket money for 2021 will be ring fenced solely for 2021 salaries.”

We are pleased to confirm to our loyal supporters that match day admission prices have been frozen along with Season Tickets for children. The deadline for fans to renew their Season Ticket at the renewal price and secure their existing seat is November 30th.

Please note that the Ticket Office will be closed for the duration of this second national lockdown, therefore sales are offered “Online Only” at this stage

You can buy your Season Ticket now at www.leightickets.co.uk and fans wishing to spread payments over Direct Debit via Go Cardless can sign up by clicking here.

Please be aware that due to the current COVID-19 situation, the Club are unable to guarantee at this time which stands will be in operation or the crowd capacities of the stands for each game due to social distancing measures that may need to be implemented.

It is our presumption that the season will start in March 2021. However, this may be delayed and/or be behind closed doors at first. Spectators also need to be aware that there will be a range of additional measures and procedures to ensure social distancing is maintained and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all fans, players and staff.

When purchasing your season ticket please be aware that you will be able to select your normal seat. However, due to the additional measures noted above you may be relocated elsewhere in the stadium until the point when social distancing measures are relaxed. Additionally, please ensure when purchasing your season ticket that you purchase within your household group or support bubble only.

Match day admission prices have been frozen and the option to pay for the Season Tickets over an extended period with interest-free credit has been maintained. This facility is offered over five months, November, December, January, February and March. Direct debit payments will be taken on the last day of each month. Fans have until November 20th to utilise the Direct Debit option over five months but can join over lesser months as each month passes with the cost divided over the months remaining on the scheme.

Recognising our ever-growing young supporter base, the Club have again retained under 5s for free as well as the heavily discounted under 18s Season Ticket option thus assisting those still in full-time education or part-time work. Under 5s Season Tickets are also available for £10 online to families and friends purchasing their own Season Ticket (either by Direct Debit or in full) thus ensuring reserved seating for the family if required.

The Club has also continued the Under 12s Season Ticket, which offers even lower average match day costs throughout the season. The concession category of 18-21 has been maintained to assist our younger supporters.

2021 Season Ticket prices are based on 13 Betfred Championship home games during the season and also give the opportunity to claim half price admission for the Summer Bash game at Blackpool and take advantage of reduced ticket offers for the Coral Challenge Cup Final/AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final at Wembley.

The Club will endeavour to stream live games that are behind closed doors to season ticket holders and priority on any restricted access will be given to season ticket holders. However, it should be noted when purchasing the season ticket that the club will be utilising the monies paid for the squad that it will recruit, based on the commitment of the purchase and therefore no refunds or credit notes will be offered or provided should games be behind closed doors or not take place at all.

The Season Ticket offers that were first introduced in 2016 (whereby local businesses have given discounts and benefits to Leigh Centurions Season Ticket holders) have proved extremely popular and will continue next season (eg, saving £72 a year on gym memberships at Wigan Council-run facilities including Leigh Sports Centre). Season Ticket holders will also be entered into prize draws, invited to special events, club priority bookings and be eligible for discounts at the retail outlet at specified events.

Derek Beaumont concluded: “In the last two seasons we have purposely only sold season tickets in the new season itself to demonstrate that is where the income is spent. It is important this year to be able to gauge the support prior to committing to the remaining contracts. If there was no Covid and no uncertainty as to crowds being allowed this wouldn’t be necessary, but we want to be sure we have the commitment from our amazing fans to keep building in these difficult times to ensure we ultimately reach our goal of becoming an established Super League club.

“That will be achievable with everyone’s support and whilst I can’t name names in this release the targets we have agreements with in principle that I am wanting to complete will certainly make a bold statement of our intent to not only challenge for Super League but to be competitive in it. On behalf of the board I would like to thank you in advance for your continued and valued support.”