And as exclusively reported in last week's Leigh Reporter, Centurions have secured the services of Wigan reserve Sam Reay on contract for 2009 and Barrow's Dave Armistead.


"Dave did have another more lucrative offer on the table but I'm delighted that he has chosen to join us," said coach Neil Kelly. "I see him as a direct replacement for Lee Doran. He's a good footballer.
''He's an organiser and a talker on the field. At 24 he's got more of his career in front of him than behind him and he's getting better, year on, year off. He can also play in other forward positions.


"Sam is a solid player who adds utility value to the squad, but I predominantly see him as a centre.
"It's good news to resign Dave (McConnell) again too. We didn't want to lose him, and he has enjoyed a terrific season.
"His work rate is prodigious and he really helps get us around the field."


The 24-year-old Reay has played the majority of his rugby for Wigan at centre but also has experience of playing full-back and loose forward. He originally signed for Wigan in 2000 after playing as a schoolboy international and remained with the club until 2002 when he moved to rugby union.
In four seasons with Orrell he played more than 70 games before a season with West Park brought him back to the attention of the Warriors coaching staff, returning to rugby league in 2007 and playing a part in all three of Wigan's first team friendlies for 2008, before spending a month on-loan at Doncaster.


Armistead was named the National Two Player of the Year at the annual awards dinner last week, where he should have been given an award for his acceptance speech alone.


The 24-year-old Australian picked up the National League Two Player of the Year title and admitted he had ended up on the Furness peninsula after 'running short of cash' on a back-packing trip, but that things had worked out nicely since then, with Armistead helping Barrow to promotion this year.
T
hat led nicely into the next question: "Dave, it's going to be a great challenge for Barrow in National League One next season. You must be looking forward to it?"

Armistead, grinning sheepishly, replied: "It will be for them, mate. I've been given the bullet."
It was a tremendous moment with 300 people convulsing in laughter. With that sense of humour, it looks like Leigh have a real character set to join them.