1985/86 season

By Matt Lawton
May 23 2003

Following Leigh in the 1980s the 85-86 2nd Division season was, apart from 81-82, the best. Leigh played some terrific Rugby, ran up some high scores, and lost only 1 league game out of 34 all season (early season at Barrow). They also had good cup runs, only being knocked out of all 3 cups by high calibre 1st Division opposition. Yes, much of the opposition was sub standard, but it was great to watch your team win every week. I missed only 1 game all season (Keighley away late season on a Friday night ), and part of the attraction was going to places not normally visited. Fulham, Blackpool, Runcorn, Sheffield, Bramley, Mansfield, Keighley.

The coach at the start of the season was Alex Murphy, but come November he walked out on Leigh for the 3rd time, and Tommy Dickens (who?) took over. He was sacked the following season.

MEMORABLE MATCHES

FULHAM (away)

This was a rare close match, with Fulham ahead and on top for most of the game until Phil Johnson snatched it at the death for Leigh 22-18. However I remember this match as at the time Fulham played at a polytechnic athletics stadium in West London right on the Heathrow flightpath. It was a freezing cold day, and the game was overshadowed by low flying planes. However during the 2nd half a large block of ice which had obviously fell from a plane landed at the feet of Gary Henly-Smith a Fulham player. It exploded like a bomb, and would have probably killed him if it had landed on his head.

MANSFIELD (away)

An unusual trip in the depths of winter through snow and ice to a deserted Mansfield Town football ground.

HUNSLET (away)

A bit like the above really. At the time Hunslet played at Elland Road and it was a bit surreal sitting in an empty massive stadium watching your team play.

ROCHDALE (away)

A rip roaring local derby on Boxing Day. At the time Rochdale were flying high, and were making noises. However Leigh won a terrific game 26-8 with a full length try from John Henderson the highlight. Does anybody remember Rochdales ground? A decrepit stock car stadium. The pits literally.

WHITEHAVEN (away)

Another real game, and there was always a terrific atmosphere up there. Standing on the popular side you were very tight to the pitch and the locals were very partisan.

KEIGHLEY (home)

Leigh won this 92-2 but it was memorable as Keighley elected to kick a penalty at 88-0, which obviously got them back in the game.

Leigh also performed well in the cups, knocked out of the Lancs Cup by Widnes. However they were drawn away at Widnes, then riding high, in the qtr final of the JPS Trophy, and this was one of the greatest, most exciting games in Leighs history. Widnes went off to a 12-0 lead and we thought that was it. But we clawed our way back, and there followed an incredible ding dong game, which Leigh won 35-31. The win was sealed by an incredible Des Drummond special the length of the field.

However Wigan defeated us in the semi at St Helens.

We also got to the Challenge Cup quarter final but lost away at Hull KR (again a top team), after a highly creditable performance by 25-10.

LEIGH PLAYERS THAT SEASON

Steve Halliwell; an Australian centre who arrived unheralded, but broke the club scoring record with 49 tries. However I felt that this was a little bit false as by the final games, players were going over the try line, but instead of scoring themselves, were stopping and waiting for Halliwell to arrive, pass it to him, and he put the ball down.

Chris Johnson; turned into a useful attcking full back, eventually capped by Gt Britain. He didn't start the season as a goal kicker but took over in October and kicked 170 again breaking the club record.

Trevor Cogger; underrated Australian stand off, who performed consistenly well.

John Henderson; 31 tries, I always thought he was a class centre, and did the business for Leigh in the 1st Division also.

Overall a memorable season; Leigh had regained their place in the top flight.

Lapsed Leyther