PAUL Terzis may have one eye on the fast-approaching new NFP season but he's not about to forget the efforts of his squad of 2000.

Eight of the Centurions' senior squad have moved on to new clubs in recent days but they are all to be invited back to Hilton Park for one final 'thank you'.

With the Alliance competition now scrapped, Terzis has trimmed his senior squad to 25, a move which has forced some tough decisions.

"I'd have liked to have kept some players on, but with only 17 able to play each week, to carry a squad of 30 as we did last year, wasn't sensible," he says.

Tim Street, Mike Watts, Saf Patel, Martin Roden, Jason Johnson, Craig Wingfield, Andy Leathem and Radney Bowker have already got themselves new clubs while Andy Fairclough, John Duffy and Dave Jones are still looking.

When Leigh come against Chorley and Swinton next season, they'll see plenty of familiar faces in the opposition ranks.

Chorley have talked Street out of retirement and he's been joined at Victory Park by Aussie winger Michael Watts, hooker Martin Roden and half-back Saf Patel. Over at Gigg Lane, Leigh will come up against Jason Johnson, Craig Wingfield and Andy Leathem as well as their former captain Craig Dean, Tongan prop Lee Hansen and winger Andy Cheetham.

New NFP season

When Leigh kick off their new NFP season at home to Barrow on December 2, they'll be facing Radney Bowker who has joined Anthony Murray and Tau Liku at Craven Park.

Looking back at last season Terzis says: "So many players made great contributions last season but sadly some of them won't be with us this time.

"That's why I'm going to organise one final get-together at Hilton Park, probably one evening, when the fans cane come and say their farewells. The lads deserve that."

Terzis reckons he's got 23 of his 25-man squad in place but still has spots open for a prop and and outside back. He's still hopes that Huddersfield front rower Richard Marshall will take one place but admits that things have gone quiet on that front.

The Leigh boss also doubts that he'll be able to re-sign Heath Cruckshank from St Helens.

"Adam (Bristow) won't come off our overseas quota until mid-season and although we'd love Heath to come back, it's asking a bit much for him to wait until then."

All NFP clubs received their draft fixtures this week with the final list expected to be ratified by the RFL in 7-10 days.

The season will run from December-October with the new National Cup starting at Easter when the league campaign will close down.