The older of Leigh's two stands

When is a club the same club - if you see what we mean? Formed in 1896 as Horwich RMI (the RMI stands for Railway Mechanics Institute by the way) the original club spent most of its history in relative obscurity in various County leagues. However in 1982 Horwich moved up to the North West Counties League, and then onto the Northern Premier. For the first dozen years at this level they did nothing, in fact would have been relegated on several occasions if other teams had been in a position to come up. 1994-95 was a momentous season. The club decided to abandon the only home it had ever known, Grundy Hill. Bolton were planning a new stadium and, although Yeovil fans might not have known it when we went there the season before last, The Reebok would have been within sight of Grundy Hill. Horwich moved into the Hilton Park Stadium on a ground-sharing basis with Leigh Rugby League Club. Amidst the move they got relegated.

The new stand at Leigh

Before life in the Northern League Division 1 began the F.A. gave the club permission to change their name, and they became Leigh RMI. Two seasons later they were back in the Premier division, promoted as runners-up. The first season they finished third, and after a mediocre 1998-99 were champions the season before last. When they came up to the Conference they were the youngest (depending how it's measured) and poorest supported club in the top flight of Non-league, and almost everyone thought they'd go straight back down.

They surpassed expectations by a mile and not only survived but took a LDV place, finishing fifth above a host of names like Stevenage, Chester, Doncaster, Scarborough and Hereford who fancy themselves as big clubs. However whilst they did well to hold on to Steve Waywell as manager there was never much chance that star asset on the field Steve Jones wouldn't move on to greater things, and he duly went to Crewe. Despite the good fee that came Leigh's way Waywell spent most of last season pleading poverty and, whilst all managers have this down to fine art as much as farmers do, given the pitiful gates at Hilton Park we are inclined to believe he hadn't got anything much to spend.

As we predicted Leigh's second season in the Conference was much tougher for them, and they were down in the bottom half of the table for most of the time, though not looking strong candidates for relegation. We really can't see any improvement this time, which is a shame. It will sound dangerously patronising, but just as we liked to see the Hayes' of this world in the Conference cocking a snook at the bigger boys (and by God have we suffered more than most at the hands of Hayes over the years!) so it is good to see a club like Leigh holding its own. And Leigh try and play decent football, an accusation that can't be levelled at all Conference clubs. Prediction Corner
So can Leigh hold on this season? Ciderspace doesn't think so. Last campaign we said: "Leigh will find it much harder this time around, but buoyed by a good manager and the confidence accrued last season they'll survive - a bit of a struggle at 15th." In fact they finished 16th. This time we fear their time has come, and they will go down in a tight battle for the last relegation spot - 20th.

Leigh's club bar, sunk into the back of the older stand

Expect all sorts of other places do too, but Leigh claims to have more drinking establishments per head of population than any other town in England......... or the World? The ground is close to the town centre, not stuck out on the edge, so a huge number of hostelries are within a few minutes walk.

Club Bar

The clubhouse is open on match days. It's a good size, but doesn't serve anything very nice to drink.

Local Pubs

The Railway, situated south of the ground, and a good one for beer drinkers

The Railway (pictured left), in Twist Lane, is highly recommended. It's close to the ground, does good beers at good prices, welcomes both sports fans with Sky T.V., pool and even a snooker table upstairs, but also has room for families. The only downside is no food. The Railway Ramblers Club, a Leigh supporters group, a few of whose members are well known frequenters of the Internet community, drink here - and in a town dedicated to Rugby League are always willing to chew the fat with others who realise balls can be round.

Leigh fans also recommend Our House on the main street towards the centre. Also with pool and Sky Sports, and more Leigh supporters. Given their gates that must be about all of them accounted for. The closest pub to the ground is the Victoria (also pictured above in the directions section).

We liked The Musketeer (pictured below right) in Lord Street. A quiet old-fashioned pub with good real ale and reasonably priced food. Seem to recall it allowed children in - hope so as mine are making their first visit to Leigh this year.

The Musketeer, situated just off the town centre.

Likelihood the Natives Will Understand You :

Don't presume that just because you watch Corrie you'll be regarded as a long lost cousin. You've as much chance of finding common cultural links in Papua New Guinea - another hot-bed of Rugby League.

Top-Tip :

Get drunk - there's nothing much else to do in Leigh.