LEIGH have made a major capture from Wigan - a new stand!

The club has reached agreement with Wigan Council to take the modern stand from Robin Park athletics stadium. It will be dismanted, stored and then re-erected at Hilton Park as a replacement for the aging main stand.

"Robin Park is to be closed as part of re-developments in the Wigan town centre area," explained Leigh's Managing Director Mick Higgins.

"The stand will be taken down piece by piece and stored by one of our sponsors until such time as we can rebuild it at Hilton Park. Hopefully that will be within the next two years.

"It would seem logical to use it as a replacement for the main stand which is now way past it's sell-by date," he adds. "The existing structure was brought from our previous ground when Hilton Park was opened after the last war.

"It's certainly seen it's best days. The new stand is a super structure and will give us the kind of facility we need." The structure, which is only 10 years old, can accomodate around 1000 spectators.

"It is of the design and build type which means it would be relatively simple to extend in either direction at some future date," added Higgins.

Leigh are also close to completing negotiations for a 13-acre training site at the former Leigh CE High School on Leigh Road.

"With Leigh RMI and us sharing the pitch at Hilton Park we need the extra facilities.

"This has two pitches and room for a third. Dressing rooms and spectator facilities will also be constructed."

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