LEIGH fans and sponsors can decide if John Duffy’s side return to action again this year.

Owner Derek Beaumont has still to confirm if Centurions will enter the invitational tournament introduced after the Betfred Championship and League One seasons were shelved last month.

Many clubs, including Widnes, Halifax, Toulouse, Oldham and Swinton have already declined a shot at a £35,000 first prize. Bradford, however, have confirmed their entry ahead of an August 14 deadline.

Now Mr Beaumont has asked season ticket holders and club backers to point the way forward with a show of financial loyalty.

In return for not requesting refunds he has pledged to: “Ensure there is a very strong team put together for next season to make a very serious claim for a place in Super League.”

It’s been a testing time personally for Mr Beaumont after the deaths of his father and grandmother but he is now determined to resolve the club’s future plans.

In a lengthy statement he also revealed Leigh players were offered to Toronto to help the Canadians complete their debut Super League campaign while then requesting Centurions replace Wolfpack for the remainder of this season.

“We continue to pay out significantly more than we receive and the sponsors and season ticket income continues to drain down,” he explained

“Should we compete in the proposed competition it will mean forgoing the furlough for September and October and incurring significant operational costs for a competition that does not provide promotion and a prize fund that doesn't meet those costs.

“Therefore, in order for me to make a decision on whether to enter the competition- and more significantly enable John (Duffy) to make the signings of existing and new players where required, I need to know the position of fans and sponsors that would seek a refund.

“I have always said ultimately as owner and as an operational board we are simply custodians of the Club.

“The people of the town own the Club and ultimately here get to somewhat decide the path of its future.

“Given our season ticket holders are deemed to be our most loyal fans I would hope that we can all equally share the burden of the situation that nobody could have foreseen.

“If not, then we will deal with the circumstances openly and honestly and update everyone throughout.”

A deadline of 5pm Friday, August 7 has been set and a dedicated email address of refundrequest@leighrl.co.uk established for anyone wanting a pro rata refund or credit note. Those fans happy for the club to retain this year’s monies don’t need to make contact.

“Once I am aware of the impact of this, I can review the situation and make a further announcement on the position of the Club,” said Mr Beaumont.

*Former Centurions hooker Kurt Baptise has re-joined Canberra Raiders until the end of the 2020 season. The Papua New Guinea international played just once for Leigh under Keiron Cunningham in 2018 before being released for family reasons.