Ninety-year-old Club President, Tommy Sale, whose roles at the club have included player, director, administrator, coach and timekeeper, was presented with two pieces of turf to celebrate his involvement in building Hilton Park at Saturday's Reserve Elimination Semi-Final between Leigh and Widnes.


Back in 1947, Tommy, then the Leigh club captain, famously laid the first and last pieces of turf on the ground.
The presentation was conducted by Leigh chairman Arthur Thomas and former Leigh RMI board member Tony Hogan.


Then on Monday evening he was presented with the Rugby League Writers' Association (RLWA) Merit Award for services to the game at a glittering awards evening at the Haydock Thistle.


A stunned Tommy collected his award from the RLWA official, Trevor Hunt and the RFL's Executive Chairman, Richard Lewis, to the delight of the assembled media and their guests.


"I thought I was just coming for a good night out," said an almost tongue-tied Tommy.
"I am honoured to receive this award, but in reality it is one for the club as much as me."