LEIGH Centurions are taking radical steps to increase home gates.
Concerned at some relatively low early season attendances, officials have come up with an experimental idea to boost Sunday's Hilton Park attendance against basement club Keighley Cougars.
Working on the principal that if one regular fan brings a newcomer, attendances would significantly increase, all season ticket holders will this week be allowed to bring a friend free of charge on production of voucher 'A'.
In addition, non-season ticket holders who pay on the gate, will be allowed to bring in one free junior under the age of 14. Only turnstile 10 will be is use for this facility.
"It is experimental at this stage," says executive director Derek Beaumont. "But we have been concerned about the low attendances in the early part of the season and this is just one way of trying to correct that. Our idea is that if someone comes along to game who isn't a regular fan and gets in for free and enjoys the experience will be willing to pay to come back again.
"I hope that our season tickets holders work with us on this. It would defeat the object if they brought someone on the free ticket who normally pays to get in."
"We also wanted to do something to encourage juniors to the game, and free admission with a full paying adult is a start."
If the idea works, Leigh will almost certainly repeat it later in the season.
There will also be a return to a festival day pre-match entertainment prio to the home game with Halifax on June 13. They will then continue until the end of the season.
Rumours regarding the future role of LISA (Leigh Independent Supporters Association) have also been quashed by Mr Beaumont.
"LISA is a vital element at Leigh," he says. "Because of their input we were able to claim the maximum £300,000 salary cap figure and without them we would not have been in a position to sign as much junior talent as we have over the last months.
"LISA has a key role to play at Hilton Park."
Meanwhile coach Darren Abram is still undecided on his formation for Sunday's game against the Cougars.
Centres Dan Potter (groin) and Chris Percival (back) were hurt in the victory over Rochdale two weeks ago and second row Dave Larder is still troubled by an Achilles problem.
"The week off has done them good but I might given than an extra seven days to get 100 per cent right. We have some big games looming on the horizon and I don't want to do anything now that might jeopardise their fitness for those games," Abram said.
"This is likely to be our last weekend off before the end of season play-offs so it would be daft to start taking risks now. I'll weigh up all my options on Friday and then name the team."
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