Leigh Leopards to make official complaint to RFL as Derek Beaumont makes ‘despicable’ comment

Leigh Leopards will lodge an official complaint with the RFL following the club’s play-off semi-final clash with Wigan Warriors.

Ultimately, Leigh saw their season come to an end on Friday night as they were beaten 18-6 by the Warriors, who will now progress to the Super League Grand Final.

However, the build-up to the match was dominated by a ticket dispute between the Warriors and Leigh owner Derek Beaumont, which became public on Wednesday morning when Wigan released a statement claiming Beaumont had suggested he would pull his side out of the contest.

Beaumont released a response later that day to explain his grievances, with tickets bought by Leigh fans in the home end being cancelled by the Warriors being one. The Leigh owner subsequently made the decision to stay away from the Brick Community Stadium on game night and watched on from home.

The RFL confirmed the situation would be reviewed and Beaumont has now confirmed that a complaint will be made. In an end of season message published on the Leopards’ website, he went on to call the treatment of some of his club’s fans on Friday night ‘despicable’.

As part of the message, Beaumont said: “Unfortunately, I have had many letters and messages, some from significant kit sponsors, containing footage of the despicable treatment bestowed upon thousands of our fans in our semi-final where people were queuing in poor weather conditions whilst they were physically searched, something that wasn’t consistent in other areas at the ground and wasn’t in operation at Old Trafford the following day.

“Clearly the values of the Progress with Unity of our Borough were lost in what was an extremely tough week for everyone connected to the club leaving me wondering how the video message I had taken part in would now be valued.

“I want to assure everyone that all the letters, messages and videos that I and the club receive will be forming part of our official complaint and will also be provided as part of the full review that will be conducted by the RFL.

“I will keep our supporters informed as this proceeds and will vigorously seek the correct outcomes on behalf of our fans as hard as I fought all week.”

Wigan Warriors have been contacted for comment regarding Beaumont’s accusations.

Leigh Leopards now almost ‘self-sufficient’

Much of the message revolved around the strides Leigh Leopards have made this season, with the club achieving their highest ever Super League finish. And, he has confirmed that the club are very nearly self-sufficient at this point after growing hand over fist over the last few years.

“The club has made significant strides in its continued growth this season and that is only possible with your fantastic commitment of support that gives the club the financial platform to compete at the highest level and hugely motivates me to invest vast amounts of time and energy and significantly less money than I used to,” he added.

“It has always been my goal to be able to grow the club to a self-sufficient, sustainable Super League club and that is not far from happening. A continuation in growth of our memberships and commercial income could see this achieved next year.”

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