Leythers need YOUR support

Leigh RMI FC
By Matt Lawton
August 18 2002

Local non league outfit Leigh RMI had well documented financial problems last season and the situation hasn't improved... Find out here how you can help save top flight non league football in the South Lancashire area...

Leigh RMI finished 16th in the Nationwide Conference last season but this term will be playing in the LDV Trophy for the second season in a row due to several teams who finished above RMI not having the relevant ground standards.

Leigh won the Unibond Premier League championship in 1999/2000 and then finished an incredible fifth place in their first season in the Conference despite almost zero resources.

The club moved to Leigh in 1995 from Horwich, 12 miles away, and have never really been able to attract support in what is widely regarded as a rugby league town.

However in the 1998/99 season when still in the Unibond League, RMI grabbed a 1-1 draw away to Fulham in the FA Cup, then managed by Kevin Keegan. More than 1,000 fans travelled to Craven Cottage and a crowd of 7,025 packed into Hilton Park to see the replay. RMI lost 2-0 live on Sky Sports.

Since then RMI's crowds have increased but not enough to sustain the club on a sound financial footing. Crowds averaged around the 400 mark last season but crowds of at least 800 are needed to allow the club to survive.

Leigh RMI are at home to Telford United on Saturday 30th November. Kick off is at 3.00pm with admission costing £8 for adults and £3 for children and OAP's.

Directions to Hilton Park can be found Here.

Please travel to Hilton Park and do your bit to save top flight non league football in the South Lancashire area.