Adrian Lam has paid tribute to director of rugby Chris Chester amid claims he is set to leave Leigh Leopards.
Reports emerged on Tuesday with All Out Rugby League breaking the news that Chester will depart the club with immediate effect this week. It is claimed the former Wakefield Trinity and Hull KR head coach handed his notice in at the club earlier this month.
Chester’s departure has not been confirmed by the club just yet and it remains to be seen whether he will step into another role within Super League. However, Lam was asked about the news in his pre-match press conference ahead of this week’s Magic Weekend fixture against Catalans Dragons.
Lam stopped shot of revealing anything about Chester’s choice, but he did speak about what the pair have managed to achieve together at Leigh.
Leigh Leopards’ Adrian Lam hails Chris Chester
“I’m not too sure officially what I can say on it,” Lam told journalists when asked about the Chester reports. “All I know is I played with Chris Chester as a player and I’ve worked with him, what we’ve done here collectively as a group has been unbelievable.
“The journey has been unbelievable. I’m not sure officially what’s out there but we’re still great mates regardless of what ends up happening.”
Chester made the move to Leigh in 2021 and was one of the key men behind Lam’s appointment as head coach. In their first full season together, Lam and Chester managed to win promotion to Super League and win the 1895 Cup.
In August 2023, the Leopards won the Challenge Cup after beating Hull KR at Wembley Stadium and Leigh have managed to finish in the play-offs in both seasons since stepping back up to the top flight.
Chester’s impact at Leigh has been enormous then and he leaves a huge legacy.
