LEIGH Centurions chairman Mike Nolan has sensationally pulled out of a proposed deal to buy the club writes Mike Hulme

He has withdrawn his £225,000 offer to secure a 75 per cent controlling interest in the Hilton Park club.

The way now appears open for an eight-man consortium to take control if they win support at a shareholder's meeting on December 16.

Mr Nolan made his announcement at a meeting of LISA (Leigh Independent Supporters Association). He left the meeting without answering questions.

His statement reads: "I think it is appropriate to reveal a few facts regarding the club and my position therein.

"Approximately two and half years ago I was approached by Chris Healey to join the board at Leigh at Hilton Park Ltd as chairman.

"Before accepting the position I was assured that the club had genuine ambitions to achieve Super League status. At the time the club was struggling under substantial debts and my company of which I am the major shareholder loaned the club a considerable amount of money via a number of sale and leaseback arrangements on normal commercial terms.

"At present the club owes my company £170,000 and me personally £65,000.

"I quickly recognised that it is well nigh impossible to achieve even break even figures in sport at this level and experience tells me that an annual deficit of £100-150K per annum would be the most likely scenario.

"Notwithstanding that, my proposal to inject £225,000 into Leigh at Hilton Park Ltd which would stabilise the current situation and avoid any act of insolvency which could jeopardise our status in the League and indeed the proposed move to the new stadium.

"At this point my total commitment to the club would stand at just under £500,000 and I believe that I should be entitled to a good degree of influence over the future of the club to which, as beneficial owner, I would be obliged to offer financial support until the new stadium was a reality.

"It would appear that whilst the offer was conditionally accepted on October 10 the shareholders now prefer to take a different route which they obviously believe is in the best interests of the club. It is clear that whilst my proposal has a good deal of support from within the current board it would not receive the required majority from the shareholders at the proposed EGM.

"Rather than subject the club to any further political in-fighting leading to negative publicity at a crucial stage of the season I have formally and irrevocably withdrawn my offer.

"I now entrust the board to come up with an alternative solution which is acceptable to the shareholders."