Super League club offered big for Leigh Centurions star Blake Ferguson

If ever there was a club in the UK that has arguably done the best business in 2022, it is the Leigh Centurions.

The club, bankrolled by owner Derek Beaumont, have brought in the likes of Edwin Ipape, Blake Ferguson, Tom Amone and John Asiata in their quest for an elusive Super League spot.

So far, those signings seem to have worked, with head coach Adrian Lam and head of rugby Chris Chester working effortlessly together in a smooth, well-oiled machine at the Leigh Sports Village.

The league position in the Championship doesn’t lie – the Centurions have just one loss to their name which came in the early rounds to Featherstone Rovers in a mud-filled bath at the Millennium Stadium in West Yorkshire.

Leigh have been able to get over their rivals on two occasions since – once in the 1895 Cup and once in the Championship to consolidate their spot at the top.

However, one of their brilliant signings – Ferguson – almost joined a Super League side with Beaumont revealing as such.

“We knew how big of a player he was, I’m not going to name name but there was a Super League club that went really hard in the last two weeks when we had already agreed what was what,” Beaumont told the Dockhouse Rugby Show.

“It’s about how you sell things so someone like Blake had had issues in Japan. He was coming back over and it’s all about the environment for that person and how you will treat and understand them.”

Beaumont revealed how his own past experiences helped him get the deal over the line with Ferguson’s manager.

“It’s no secret I’ve had my issues over the years and the relationship you have with a players manager knows you are the right fit for that player.

“It’s about putting Blake in an environment that’s helpful for him and doesn’t put too much pressure on him, helps him to reinvent himself and fall back in love with rugby league.”