Internationals sign up for Leigh
5:56pm Thursday 17th November 2011 in Leigh Centurions
LEIGH Centurions’ 2012 squad includes four international recruits.
Ten signings have been revealed over the past week, including Leigh-born Andy Bracek who was in the back row for Wales in their Four Nations clash with Australia on Sunday.
Three Ireland stars have also been brought on board in the shape of half back or full back Gregg McNally, hooker or loose forward Bob Beswick and pack man Tommy Gallagher.
The fifth capture is Cumbrian centre Matt Gardner, adding to the re-signings of 2011 stand off Martyn Ridyard, second rowers Tommy Goulden and James Taylor as well as Dean McGilvray and Steve Maden.
Until last Wednesday, the club’s financial difficulties, retirements and Super League snatches had seen a break-up of Leigh’s Northern Rail Cup-winning squad, but this week’s signings give renewed hope that Centurions can be competitive again in the Co-operative Championship in 2012.
Who has made the signings for the club is not clear, as a replacement head coach for Ian Millward had still not been appointed at the time Leigh Journal went to press yesterday, Wednesday.
It is understood Leigh are looking to bring in additional players on loan or on dual registration terms, as they have done with Warrington’s Matty Blythe, Lee Mitchell, Tyrone McCarthy and St Helens’ Tom Armstrong over the past two seasons. Armstrong and Mitchell will certainly not be available next year though, with the Saints centre having joined Swinton while Mitchell has paired up with Millward again on loan at Cas.
Leigh’s new recruits bring bags of experience with them.
Former Leigh Miners Rangers junior Bracek played 60 games over four seasons for Warrington before moving to Barrow, where he collected the Championship trophy. The 24-year-old played in Super League with Crusaders last season.
McNally, aged 20, burst on to the scene as a schoolboy with hometown Whitehaven and scored the final first-team try at Leigh’s former Hilton Park ground in 2008. He recently completed a two-year contract with Super League side Huddersfield Giants that saw him spend time with Whitehaven, Oldham and Barrow.
Beswick, aged 26, made his first-team bow for Wigan in 2004 before joining Widnes Vikings in 2006. He recently completed a four-season stint at Halifax.
Thirteen appearances from Gallagher helped Swinton win Championship One last season. The 28-year-old is well travelled, having also had spells with Widnes (twice), Hull Kingston Rovers, Dewsbury Rams, London Broncos, Toulouse and Batley Bulldogs.
Gardner, aged 27, was a regular with Widnes last term. The younger brother of St Helens winger Ade had time at Leeds Rhinos, Barrow and Castleford before a two-season stint with Huddersfield, a year with Salford and then a campaign in the capital with Harlequins.
The recruitment was part of the attraction for Ridyard – one of the stars of 2011 – to stay loyal to his hometown club.
“I had quite a few options,” he said.
“But I felt my best option was to stay here at the right terms for the club and myself. Quite a few squad members are signed from last year, quite a few good members coming in from other teams as well, so it’s looking good again for this next year.”
Taylor added: “I’m very happy to re-sign for a club I’ve spent a lot of time at.
“I’m a Leigh lad and with people like Ridyard and Goulden staying we have the basis of a good squad.”
