LEIGH will enter Super League as a club in a stronger position as than they have been before says Director of Rugby, Chris Chester.

The fixtures for next season’s competition are released on November 3 with the former Wakefield Trinity head coach already relishing the 2023 campaign.

“We are not here to compete, we are here to challenge,” said Chester. “It is so difficult for the sides coming up.

“Fortunately, we have an owner in Derek Beaumont willing to invest. I remember him saying he wanted to get to a point half way through last season where he was confident enough to go and out and recruit.

“He gave the green light for us to recruit pretty aggressively and that’s what we have done.

“We have got some exceptional Australian talent and alongside that in the coming weeks, maybe next week, we will be announcing some exceptional English talent as well.

“In terms of recruitment though I have got 25/26 players all ready to go. So, there are lots of things to be positive about and we are in a stronger position than we have ever been as a club.”

It’s a far cry from less than 12 months ago when Chester took up his post without a head coach and only a handful of players.

“It is a massive achievement considering where we came from last November,” he agreed. “We were looking for promotion.

“But if someone said we would get the treble of AB Sundecks, the League Leaders and getting into Super League, I would have laughed at you.

“It’s been a monumental effort by everyone and one of the biggest highlights of my career.

“But I never saw coming to Leigh as a gamble. I had seen over the years what this club could potentially achieve and one of the biggest things for me was to help change perceptions of what people thought about Leigh as club.”

Warrington’s former Castleford favourite, Oli Holmes, is the latest player to be linked with a switch to Centurions despite two years remaining on his current deal.

One confirmed outgoing is 2022 co-captain Adam Sidlow who has re-joined Salford.

Red Devils ex Leigh coach Paul Rowley said of the deal: “He’s an experienced player and a fantastic professional to further enhance the standards being set by the boys.

“The coaches and I felt that Adam’s leadership, skillset and character make him a great fit within our group.”

*Leigh’s promotion means they will also be part of Magic Weekend once more. The 2023 venue-thought to be St James’ Park, Newcastle-will be announced on Sunday together with opponents and dates. Tickets will go on sale a week later.

Other key top flight dates already confirmed include the opening round on the weekend of February 16-19, 2023 and the Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 14.