LEIGH'S acting chief executive Chris Healey is banking on an active commercial side to ease the burden for the rugby league club.

"Much of what happens will depend on how the people of Leigh respond. We not only need outside sponsorship and bigger crowds, but also we need the town to utilise the excellent facilities we have at Hilton Park.

"We've not been as commercially aggressive as we should have been," he says. "We've got to be more outgoing in the community and with that in mind we have drawn up plans to use our playing staff far more aggressively in the town."

The new off-field set-up has the backing of Leigh Independent Supporters Association chairman Neil Wilcock who says: "We are right behind Chris Healey and we'll make sure his commitment to this club doesn't fail."

LISA raised close of £22,000 last season to fund the contracts of Jamie Kennedy and Ken Kerr and have already pledged their financial support for the signing of new Aussie Adam Bristow.

"It took a huge effort to make £22,000 last season, but I'm sure that this year we can make that figure £25,000," he says.

Leigh will start their pre-season preparations with a home friendly against Doncaster Dragons on December 12.

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