Leopards fan travels 12,000 miles to see Leigh lift Challenge Cup

As the Leopards sailed through to the final of the Challenge Cup on their return to the Super League, Tom Jones thought he better apply for a new passport if he was to have the chance to see his boyhood club play at the famous Wembley Stadium. 

And despite living almost 12,000 miles away in Tapanui, New Zealand, 61-year-old Tom said he "wouldn't have missed it for the world".

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Tom with Leopards COO Neil Jukes and chairman Derek Beaumont after the Leeds game (Image: Tom Jones)

After emigrating to New Zealand in 1992, ferry worker Tom made the most of his long-haul trip by meeting up with family and friends, as well as travelling to Leeds for Leigh's 13-6 victory a week before the Challenge Cup final.

And as Leopards chairman Derek Beaumont caught wind about Tom's 12,000 mile trip, he invited the adopted Kiwi not only to meet the players after the Leeds game, but to the after-game function at Wembley a week later.

With the match ball at Wembley (Image: Tom Jones)

With the Leopard's 17-16 win over Hull KR making it the town's first Challenge Cup triumph in 52 years, Tom, who is originally from Westhoughton, said: "It was the stuff of dreams.

"I couldn't have dreamed of the experience that I had, from meeting the players to holding the trophy and winning the way that we did. It was just fantastic, and I even caught the match ball from one of Hull KR's kicks.

"Derek and the club pulled out all the stops for me and the players were just a great bunch of lads.

"I only came for ten days but what a ten days it turned out to be."

Tom with match-winner Lachlan Lam after the Challenge Cup final (Image: Tom Jones)

Following the long-haul flight back to his partner Vicki, his daughter and grand-daughter, Tom said he will never forget his journey to Wembley and the pandemonium celebrations he shared with Leythers.