Derek Beaumont’s shocking prediction vindicated

Though Leigh Leopards’ Challenge Cup Final win against Hull KR can be attributed to former Wigan Warriors boss Adrian Lam, star man, Lance Todd Trophy winner and match winner Lachlan Lam and the rest of the squad, one man deserves plenty of praise in the shape of Derek Beaumont.

He has stood by his beloved club through the tough times and vowed to make them a contender after they were relegated in 2021.

He has certainly done that recruiting at a Super League level in the Championship in 2022 and then adding more star power to the squad ahead of the 2023 season.

He also rebranded the club in a move that was worked wonders in firing the Leopards to the next level.

Beaumont has been the driving force behind the club but even he will be shocked at how right he has been.

Before the season Beaumont predicted that Halifax Panthers would win the 1895 Cup and that Leigh or Wigan would win the Challenge Cup.

And remarkably he was exactly right about both.

Meanwhile, in December he promised fans Leigh would win a Grand Final or Challenge Cup in the next five years and he has also delivered on that.

It is truly amazing to see Beaumont deliver like this.

The Leigh owner released a statement after the cup win celebrations: “We were blown away with our send off and how many people attended that but the home coming was mind blowing.

“I would like to thank the Marriott Hotel in Worsley for allowing us to swap into the open top bus on their grounds. When we left there and turned off the A580 to Astley and saw the gathering ahead of us right at the start point we were simply staggered by it.

“As we continued the journey we were amazed by just how many people lined the streets and were waving from their gardens and windows along the way, in between the massive gatherings in the towns of Tyldesley and Atherton which was unbelievable.

“When we finally reached Leigh it was an incredible turnout and picture that will last with us all a lifetime and made us feel so proud! The scenes and colours on show old and new just embedded how this club can move into a new era whilst retaining its heritage.

“I would like to personally thank every single person who made that effort to welcome us, it is inspirational, it really is.

“I would like to thank Wigan Council for their fantastic support and putting on such a reception for us with big screens and staging and entertainment for everyone. It shows the quality and importance of the town to the Borough and we should be proud every single one of us in whatever capacity.

“I would like to thank our police force and ambulance service for their support of the event and our highways department for managing all the road situations required to make the unique scenes possible.

“I would also like to thank the security staff and stewards that were in place throughout and did a fantastic job. It really was a great team effort from everyone involved that was befitting for the effort of the team to pull off an amazing achievement!

“It far exceeded any expectations and has left us motivated and inspired to try and now have a dream to not do something we did over fifty years ago but something we have never done before. We will draw on these images and videos to push us towards that over the coming weeks months and years.”