rFROM cellar-dwellers to the door of the penthouse. That's how far Leigh Centurions have come in four years.
Today head coach Paul Terzis talks exclusively to Mike Hulme as his team start to make their promotion push.
PAUL Terzis is passionate about his Rugby League. Or to be more accurate he's passionate about Leigh Rugby League.
With the Centurions now preparing for their promotion push, Terzis wants the team and the town to make the most of the opportunity that's waiting for them around the corner.
He says: "We've given ourselves a wonderful opportunity to win the ultimate prize in our competition. How sad it would we to waste it.
"Sport, business and life gives you opportunities, but they are few and far between. You've got to make the most of those opportunities and enjoy it along the way. Because before you know it, they're gone.
"Although we have 13 league games left, only five of those are at home. So the opportunities there for our fans are becoming limited.
"Realistically we are aiming for second place in the table behind Huddersfield. With the way the play-offs are structured this season first would play second with the winners going straight into the Grand Final. The losers would be at home for the right to go through. So if we went to Huddersfield and won, we wouldn't have any home games after the regular season ends."
Terzis admits that he's enjoying his coaching again after what he calls a couple of 'distractions'.
"It's no secret that my name was linked with a couple of other clubs but none of it was any of my doing. These things happen. Then there was the contract business but it was a situation I have accepted. It's just another challenge to me. I fully intend taking up that new contract with Leigh in Super League.
"There was a bit of negativity in the early part of the season but all that has gone.
"I feel greatly privileged to be coach of Leigh. I'm really enjoying myself and looking forward to what we are going to achieve. I enjoy being in the town, being around the players and being with the fans. It's a great honour and I intend to stay around for a long time yet."
As he plans for the run-in to the end of the season, Terzis says he believes he's got the squad to take the club into Super League.
"Of course we'd like to bring new people in, but they've got to be better than are already here. We talk to other clubs but they don't want to release key players to their big rivals. They fear us and see us a threat.
"When other clubs look at us and see how far this club has come in four years, they are envious. Perhaps we sometimes lose sight of how far we've come. Both stands have been completely refurbished, we've got new dressing rooms and a gym, bar and corporate facilities have improved, we've got a club shop. Then on the pitch we've finished fifth, reached a Grand Final and a semi-final in the last three years."
He adds: "I'm delighted with the structures we have in place at Leigh. Only 15 clubs in the whole of British RL have scholarship schemes and initiatives in place like ours. We are very fortunate to have that. We are the envy of other clubs and others are looking at us as leaders and innovators.
"We are a top club. While I know it gets frustrating for supporters at times, it also gets frustrating for players and coaches when things do always go according to plan. We enjoy being at this level and we need to make sure we keep enjoying it. We not going to let any person or any team stand in our way of of realising our dream.
"This club is coming towards the end of its apprenticeship and within a few months we'll be fully qualified tradesmen in Super League."
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