Time to say goodbye to Hilton Park

Fri 15 Aug 2008

Leigh Centurions play what could be their last ever game at Hilton Park on Sunday when they entertain Whitehaven. Unless Leigh move at least one position up the table before the end of the league campaign – and that is still very possible – Sunday will see the club and its supporters say farewell to a ground that has been home for 61 years.

Hilton Park has seen many great games through the years, and has played host to championship and Challenge Cup winning sides.
Though its top flight exposure has been limited in recent seasons, it remains something of an iconic ground for many, and it will undoubtedly be an emotional day for the Centurions’ supporters on Sunday.
The club will be doing much to mark the occasion, with a succession of events planned for the weekend.
The Centurions have also produced a limited edition programme, of some 92 pages, that is available at the club shop, and includes a copy of the programme for the first ever match at Hilton Park.
But while the people of Leigh will be keen to remember days from the past, now is also a time for the club to look to the future, and the move to the plush Leigh Sports Village.
Anybody who hasn’t had chance to see what kind of facility the Centurions will be gracing should check out the website at www.leighsportsvillage.co.uk.
The new ground will be the focal point of Leigh’s next Super League licence application in 2011, and will provide the kind of resources that the club was crying out for the last time it was in the top flight in 2005.
Everybody has seen the kind of success that the likes of Warrington and Hull FC have generated when moving to new grounds in recent years, and the Centurions will be hoping that their switch can have a similar impact.
The Hilton Park farewell match is one of a handful of crucial clashes in NL1 this weekend, as six clubs battle it out for the bottom three play-off places.
Two of them meet on Thursday when Sheffield host Widnes, before Featherstone look to re-ignite their top six challenge at Dewsbury on Sunday, and Batley face the daunting task of a trip to Salford.
In NL2, Barrow can take a big step towards automatic promotion by beating Keighley at home on Friday, while two days later Oldham will be looking to keep up the pressure with victory at local rivals Swinton.
It’s all building towards a fascinating climax to the National League season.

Gareth Walker's National League View is updated weekly during the season. For the best National League news, match reports and pictures, get League Express, on sale every Monday throughout the year.