Derek Beaumont admits IMG concerns led to bold decision

Leigh Leopards have defied the odds from the start of 2023 all the way to beating St Helens at Warrington Wolves’ Halliwell Jones Stadium in a Challenge Cup semi-final.

They defeated the Super League and World Champions in a nail biter in Warrington in one of the best Challenge Cup semi-finals we have seen for many years.

The Leopards also sit second in the league and are the highest placed British team in the league with only Catalans Dragons above them in the league at the moment.

This all comes on the back of a rebrand that many people were critical of at the start of the season as they went from Leigh Centurions to the Leigh Leopards.

However, this has proven to be the springboard for the club’s amazing success in 2023 and they can now dream of Wembley glory.

Speaking to BBC ahead of the club’s first semi-final in decades, Derek Beaumont spoke to BBC Sport.

He explained why they made the decision to rebrand and how it came from concerns over IMG.

“IMG coming in, I was a bit nervous because they were only going to select 12 teams and I thought we looked too much like Wigan with the red and white and a centurion as a mascot,” he said.

“It is about being a show and standing out there and getting people to buy in and the fans have done that.

“They are wearing the leopard print.

“There will be a trip at the end of the season. Last year it was Vegas if we won the treble and we did that, we are in the running for the treble in 2023 and what a story that would be but these guys are getting rewarded.”

If Leigh win the final then Beaumont has promised an amazing trip to Vegas for the squad giving them further incentive to get the job done in London.

“If something comes off it will be Vegas, Ibiza if not because no matter what we do now they have achieved something amazing.

“Hats off to Adrian Lam, Chris Chester and Neil Jukes and what they have done.

“I am so excited. This is my first semi-final. Up the Leopards.”