Halifax boss Richard Marshall says copying them may aid Leigh in struggle
Five Championship sides battle for three Qualifiers places this weekend and developing their own has helped in West Yorkshire
RICHARD Marshall believes Leigh may not need to look far to get out of their meltdown – the answer could be under their noses.
And if anyone can offer the Centurions hope, it is Halifax.
The ‘last day’ in the Championship sees Toulouse, London, Halifax, Leigh and Featherstone with a chance of making the top four alongside leaders Toronto.
However, Leigh have conceded by admitting new ownership is needed and allowing all players to leave.
SunSport understands Featherstone face big decisions if they do not get in from fifth, with several players likely to head out.
Halifax have been there and done that. They cut their cloth and even players’ pay packets.
Now they are reaping the rewards of developing their own through a reserve side, currently sitting fourth, and boss Marshall believes that is the way for other sides to go.
“It’s a real shame what’s going on at Leigh,” he said. “But two years ago, we had to cut our squad and take a percentage off players’ contracts.
“Now we’ve over-achieved based on the amount we spend but for teams that spend more than us, it can be boom and bust.
“We chose to invest in youth and for the past three years we’ve had a reserve side and that’s probably why we are where we are.
“That’s the model some other clubs should be looking at.”
Halifax need to beat Rochdale tomorrow to seal their place to face in the Qualifiers, where they will face Salford, Hull KR, Widnes and Super League champions Leeds.
Even if they do make it, do not expect a spending spree. The memories of their flirtation with disaster remain too raw.
Marshall added: “Getting into the Qualifiers would be fantastic but I don’t think we’re quite ready for Super League yet. The infrastructure of the club probably isn’t quite there.”
London head to Barrow and having a capital presence in Super League would be huge, off the field more than on it.
And Broncos boss Danny Ward believes making this first step back to the big time would be progress.
He said: "We want more big games, we want to take on the best in the business and that means getting into Super League."
The Qualifiers will have a French flavour if Toulouse beat Dewsbury tonight and should they come up, they will face Catalans Dragons in Super League.
But for France international Mark Kheirallah, the system is flawed.
He said: “For Championship teams the system is good but for Super League teams, I don’t think it’s a very strong system.
“We’re dealing with people’s livelihoods here. Going back to a traditional system would be better.”
