Dear All,

I have been busy with work during the last week and last night I was made aware of a thread on here regarding the announcement that the magnificent £6100 raised would be going to the signing of Anthony Nicholson.

I would just like to put my side to this, which in fairness isn't any different than Lynda's.

So Here goes......

Not many/if any will know the terrible strain me and my family have been under over the last 2 years. We lost our mother on the 30th November 2008 and just 6 short months later we also lost our father. To say the period of the last 18-24 months have been trying is an under statement and personally I have found life extremely hard. However to get me through Dad's 1st anniversary on the 25th June 2010 I decided to do a sponsored walk in my mind to the memory of my father. I didn't want to brand it as such an event and thought no better way to do a sponsored walk and raise money for the club to sign a player.

Rather than set something up independently I wanted to take the LISA brand and bring it back to the fore of the loyal Leigh fans and hopefully increase membership on the back of it. The initial aim was to possibly raise £10,000 which would enable Ian to make a last minute signing for the 2010 season.

As things materialised we raised a magnificent £6,100 but in reality there was no player available that Ian either wanted or could afford, in addition to this we have only very recently received all the sponsorship so as the transfer deadline approached we couldn't guarantee Ian any money.

Subsequently the season ended and we finally got the final total of £6,100. We contacted the club to say what we had achieved and they were fabulous with their praise to everyone who has been involved. When we met last week we discussed the options available for the sponsorship money; it was clear there was in reality not going to be any 'named' signings but we were going to sign possibly 4 new players but the club had already accounted for their salaries through other sponsorship schemes etc. The perfect example of this would be the individual sponsorship the club managed to achieve to sign Stuart Littler may not have been available to any other player so why donate the money we raised as this would potentially reduce the overall income to the club.

We then discussed the option of sponsoring one of the new players promoted from the U21's. Anthony's name kept on cropping up and its apparent Anthony has a great opportunity like so many other hookers who have come through the ranks to go on and make a real name for himself in RL. Anthony could well follow in the foot steps of Mick Higham and Paul Rowley and we all thought it would be great to put the money raised to sign another local youngster to the club.

Ultimately it will be Anthony's ambition and own personal dedication to training and further learning the game that will decide whether we have sponsored the right player or not. But what a great feeling for everyone involved in the walk; when come mid season and Anthony is playing a staring role, that you helped to raise the money to keep him at the club.

From a personal point of view every time Anthony takes to the pitch I will have a smile on my face knowing Mum/Dad didn't die so young for nothing. It got me off my back side and motivated me to raise money for a club that will always be in mine and all your hearts just like Dad's.

I fully understand people might be disappointed that we haven't got a named player with the money but what we have got is the future!

I think the sponsored walk could well become a yearly fund raising event, remember we only need 100 individuals/groups to raise £100 each to raise £10,000. Personally Id go for a walk to Widnes again but I know Lynda wasn’t keen on that idea. Personally I may well struggle to find the time next year to organise such an event; 60 hours a week work, 600/700 miles travelling and a new baby on the way could well take my time up next year!

Hope that sheds some light on why I organised/completed the walk and what hopefully we have achieved.

Cheers Ste

P.S - Forgot to say a massive thank you to everyone who helped in any way with this event which resulted in a magnificent amount being raised.

So glad you have replied ste,was going to text you if you had not responded to the nonsense that was being thrown around yesterday.

The walk which you set up proved any fan can help to raise funds,some may say what will 6k bring,well in our league its like a lottery win with funds so tight its unbelieveable.

Be nice to see the young lad galloping around the field and if he makes the grade.From what I understand Ian is going to use him a lot this season,with Ian encouragement and the backing of a passionate 2k crowd the young lad future looks good.


Once again congratulations on organising this event and rasing the amount

Thanks Stephen for that

Agree with everything you said Ste.

I still think all LISA monies should go to the youth structure of the club, nothing against Stu Donlan he's a great bloke but I'd have rather seen the £X,000 raised towards his contract last year being put into The Scholarship scheme.

The way I see it the initial idea was great and intended to boost the squad with an end of season signing prior to the deadline, but the timing of the walk and certainly the collection of monies meant unfortunately in reality it was to late for that to happen.

Personally I’m much happier seeing my sponsor money go to someone who’s got great potential like Anthony, rather than to someone who’s best days are behind him.

Stephen/Lynda I don’t think you or anyone else needs to justify why the walk took place, or questioning the hard work you put into this, but neither do I think it’s wrong for people to ask “Why didn’t the money go where we were told it was going?” It’s a valid question, and perhaps with hindsight it would have been nice to inform people of the change prior to the final decision?

I’ve watched Anthony since he was about 8yrs old and look forward to his continued development in the knowledge that my little contribution his helping him to fulfil his dream.

Great post

I certainly hope Ste & Lynda don't take such questions as a personal slight; it's all a learning curve I suppose.

Ste,

A big well done for the excellent explanation. In fact, the money raised may well have been dedicated to a 'big' signing - if Anthony fulfils his rich potential. And what a fitting memory it will prove, to your Mum & Dad. You should feel very proud of what you achieved.

Alan

I am totally convinced that we have sponsered the right player, Lovely lad and all of you walkers /and sponsers of the walkers can come and meet the "new" signing as soon as Ive sorted out the next meeting, which will be in November. Thanks Lynda

Ste, you should not feel to explain yourself like that, but full credit to you.

Dave Bradburn