Social media is fast becoming the quickest and easiest way to access rugby league content with many clubs, players and even owners utilising it and one Super League owner has had his say on the art of ‘banter’ between clubs and fans.
Derek Beaumont is a larger than life character and if you doubted that before then it was confirmed this season with his side, Leigh Centurions, making the bold rebrand to become Leigh Leopards.
With the name change also came a kit change and it’s a shirt that has divided opinion featuring the face of a leopard with glaring red eyes emblazoned across the chest, Leigh fans love it, most other fans take the mick out of it.
๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐
Who says a Leopard can't change its spots?
We listened to the feedback and now we are ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ.
We can now present our finalised 2022/23 @SuperLeague kit and polo shirt!
What are your thoughts, Leythers?#Leythers ๐ pic.twitter.com/kZjeYaZTQd
— Leigh Leopards (@LeighLeopardsRL) November 14, 2022
One rugby league page took aim at the Leopards and noted that rival fans should appreciate Christmas on the basis that they weren’t receiving the side’s new leopard print merchandise, something with Beaumont took issue with and responded brilliantly to.
The positive would be they had something to open but unfortunately nobody opened this itโs training kit for players only! Lots of kids loved their packages and replica shirts! Appreciate the banter tho and advertising our great club to 10k people so cheers to that and merry Xmas! https://t.co/i6FbJ2DDjU
— Derek John Beaumont (@derek_beaumont) December 26, 2022
Beaumont responded in great spirit and even cheekily thanked the page for their promoting of his team with the newly branded Leopards set to first run out, donning that training kit and shirt, on Saturday 21st January against Leeds Rhinos.
He’s also made a very tempting offer for any fans out in their new attire.
Itโs time for Boxing Day banter folks let it rip! And anyone in @RowleysBar between 12 and 3 today in leigh gear old or new will get a drink on me! Whatever your doing enjoy it and make memories ๐
— Derek John Beaumont (@derek_beaumont) December 26, 2022
At the time of the announcement Beaumont was on safari and even shared a few videos teasing that Rhinos would be their first pre-season opponent on their return to Super League.
Love him or loathe him it has to be said that Beaumont is a credit to rugby league with the investment utilised in 2022 to secure promotion for his beloved club, and also the brilliant fan to owner interaction he brings on social media.
He also hasn’t messed about compiling a squad that’s more than capable of remaining in Super League with the additions of Warrington captain Jack Hughes, Huddersfield playmaker Ricky Leutele, Rhinos due Zak Hardaker and Tom Briscoe as well as plenty more signings with the Leopards showing the biggest recruitment drive across the league.
