Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont has taken to social media again in another swipe at Hull FC, however, he has also suggested that he is in the process of removing Leigh from Super League.
After his explosive post on X on Friday evening following Hull FC’s 68-6 loss to Leeds Rhinos in which he labelled the Black and Whites’ scoreline a “disgrace”, he has continued the discourse with rival fans.
One responded: “The same Derek that threatened to pull Leigh out of SL and set his own competition up”, accompanied with laughing face emojis.
In turn, Beaumont has hit back hinting that it was more than just a threat to take Leigh Leopards to their own competition.
He replied: “Threatened? Or in the process of? Things take time owd bean! You only fail when you stop trying which is why HullFC have failed!”
As he likes to explain himself on many occasions, Beaumont is a very good ‘fisherman’ so his words may have to be taken with a pinch of salt but it’s certainly a bold claim.
Threatened? Or in the process of? Things take time owd bean! You only fail when you stop trying which is why HullFC have failed! https://t.co/hZnAa28Ws5
— Derek John Beaumont (@derek_beaumont) September 9, 2024
Could Leigh Leopards actually leave Super League?
Credit: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
The suggestion seems ridiculous but in all sports, breakaway teams and leagues have formed and almost all have started from the actions of a maverick and that is certainly what Derek Beaumont is.
He’s shown that with the bold rebrand of Leigh Centurions to Leigh Leopards, a decision that was ridiculed by has clearly worked out far better than anyone, Derek included, could have expected.
His notion of creating a new league arose last season as he argued that he knew some big backers who would like to see the creation of ‘Ultimate Rugby’, their own Rugby League competition.
During his recent online spats with fans, he has again referenced ‘Ultimate Rugby’ but this morning’s post is the biggest claim yet.
After last season’s controversial loss to Wigan Warriors, which handed Wigan the League Leaders Shield and cost Leigh a home play-off game, Beaumont proposed the idea of starting his own competition.
In a passionate statement, he explained that he has not got the “energy” and had “had enough”, declaring: “Unless the game changes and unless the outcome is decided by athletes and coaches, I can’t be involved in it anymore.
“That’s where it’s at and that’s how serious it is, hopefully the game can change but I’ll leave you on a positive. You’ve met my American friends and my South African friends. They’ve got more money than the whole of what Sky give for the game in three years than they could drop out their arse end in a week.
“So maybe what you will see is me step out of this charade and set up a proper, super league, called ‘Ultimate Rugby’ with proper rugby players, where it’s not decided by the referees, it’s decided by the athletes because that’s the only alternative.”
One of the follow-up posts from his initial Hull FC dig saw the Leigh Leopards’ owner use the hashtag ‘Ultimate Rugby’, suggesting that it could very well be something that he remains actively invested in.
Ha ha when Hull FC block you so a post becomes a reply and can’t repost with them tagged! Lots of friends there that agree their club has acted disrespectful to the comp and deserve relegating if bottom! As owners we should sort this out! #ultimaterugby https://t.co/ZiwA9n5OQe
— Derek John Beaumont (@derek_beaumont) September 6, 2024
Eric T Cat
September 9, 2024 at 12:04 pm
If Hull FC finish bottom they should be relegated, or face a playoff against the best Championship side. That is reasonable.
If Mr Beaumont knows investors then bring them in now, a new competition solves nothing. New money could tempt some Union clubs to consider putting together a League side, Bristol/Bath, Leicester, a combined London team, a massive boost to the Midlands Hurricanes, maybe two Scottish teams.
But a breakaway? They’d need new rules, players could find themselves in contractual limbo, who else is going to go?
I agree the standard of refereeing in certain instances borders on the criminal, analyse the stats, but running off isn’t the answer.
On Sunday the Newcastle Knights played the Dolphins in front of 37:000. Huddersfield vs London had a crowd of dozens in the place where the game was created! Let Mr Beaumont and his investors address that! I think the NRL takeover idea, combined with new money is the way forward.
I also think a professional referees structure, almost like a club, should be created. Full time officials, who train, study, live and breathe the game. Combining referees from the entire sport. One set of rules. Applied evenly. Also referee statistics to be reported on, tabulated, and any anomalies investigated.