AS LEIGH celebrates its centenary one of the towns sporting institutions is half-way there: Leigh RU is in its Golden Jubilee season.

It all began quietly in 1949 when at the town's Technical College a notice appeared asking for players to participate in a variety of sports.

Under the guidance of Ken Isherwood, first captain of rugby Eddie Lindley decided they would play Union rather than League.

The Technical College was the initial HQ, and there followed stints at the Sportsman, Oak Tree Root and Village Inn.

The first significant move came in 1956 when the club changed its name to Leigh RUFC. A two-year home was found at Howe Bridge CC.

But it was realised this would be only a temporary move. If the club was to make real progress a permanent home would need to be found. This was finally achieved when the present HQ at Hand Lane was secured, mainly through the efforts of J Eric Davies, the club president.

The clubhouse was originally an old barn, converted by the efforts of members.

Then on September 13 1961 a match was played against a representative side to mark the official opening of the new clubhouse.

Members of the representative squad came from Anchor, Ashton-on-Mersey, Burnage, De La Salle and Widnes, who won 8-3.

First points for the Leigh club at its new HQ were scored by Brian Cain.

On Saturday past and present members will remember the formative years in a dinner to celebrate their half-century.

Leigh RU is a thriving club. It has provided a host of RL stars, including championship-winning Steve Donlan and Ray Tabern, while Matthew Brown and Ian Grainey are currently playing at senior club Orrell.

The club is also celebrating 25 years of mini and junior rugby plus five years of ladies rugby.

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