CENTURIONS new boy Mitch Cox hopes it won’t be as long between games at Leigh Sports Village after a memorable senior debut for his home town club.

The 24-year-old was a try scorer and coach Kieron Purtill’s man of the match in last Sunday’s 68-6 Championship Shield win over Sheffield Eagles.

Cox had previously played at the LSV in 2015, scoring two tries in a Reserves Grand Final defeat by Dewsbury Rams.

But his career subsequently took him to North Wales Crusaders, Leigh Miners Rangers and Thatto Heath before getting his big break against the Eagles.

“I just focused at work and played with Miners and Thatto Heath and I really enjoyed it there,” explained Leigh’s man of the moment.

“But making my debut for Leigh was really exciting. You always want a try on your debut and I’m made up with it.

“It was a really proud day. I’m happy with the heritage number.”

Mitch, hoping to keep his place for Sunday’s Championship Shield home date with Barrow, came through Leigh East junior ranks before spending a season playing for Thirrouil Butchers in Wollongong.

When Leigh’s reserve side was disbanded Mitch’s dream of playing for his hometown club seemed over.

But with proposals to re-start a reserves side this year he was approached again by Purtill and Paul Anderson and agreed conditional forms.

Those plans didn’t come to fruition but Purtill retained the player’s registration together with half a dozen other players signed on similar forms.

“Mitch was here when we had a reserve grade and probably to beat the drum it shows how important reserve grade is to people’s development and clubs as well,” said Purtill.

“There is plenty of talent in the amateur game and players can step up as Mitch showed.”

Captain Micky Higham revealed: “Kieron singled him out in the dressing room afterwards and said he his was man of the match, which was a nice touch. I’m made up for him and juggling work and playing for his hometown club with such pride was something special.”

*Leigh owner Derek Beaumont has laid out his hopes and fears for Leigh’s future in a lengthy statement.

He said: ”I was hoping to have conducted enough player movement before the transfer deadline to have ensured the short-term future of the Club was safe without any additional funding from me.

“Unfortunately, I was unable to achieve that fully although I am committed to ensuring the Club can fulfil its last fixtures of the season.

“However, this will unfortunately accumulate more losses within that period that will now worsen the Club’s position.

“I am disappointed that a small number of players asked to move on didn’t do so and take alternatives presented to them which would have ensured the short-term future of the Club without increasing liabilities.

“What is vitally important is that we can get the remaining players who are contracted beyond this year to find alternative clubs and accept some responsibility for the failings on the field in order that the Club isn’t left with liabilities it cannot fulfil which ultimately would be catastrophic,” he said.