Leigh Centurions are pleased to confirm that Martin Aspinwall has agreed to extend his career with the Club and has agreed a one-year full-time contract that will commence on 1 December 2014.

Aspinwall, 32, has made a successful transition from the three-quarters to the front-row and has a wealth of top flight and international experience. After beginning his career with home town club Wigan, graduating through their scholarship scheme, he made his first-team debut in 2001 and went on to make 109 appearances, scoring 33 tries for the Warriors. He was a member of the Wigan side defeated by Bradford Bulls in the 2003 Super League grand final.

He moved to Huddersfield in 2006 and in five seasons with the Giants scored 29 tries in 95 games and was a member of the side defeated by St Helens in the 2006 Challenge Cup final. He was also selected for the Great Britain squad that competed in the 2006 Tri-Series down under to add to earlier representative honours for Lancashire, Super League under-21s and England A.

After spells at Castleford Tigers and Hull FC he joined Leigh in 2012 and has made a total of 275 career appearances, scoring 68 tries, including 51 tries in 223 Super League games.

Leigh Centurions Head of Rugby Derek Beaumont said: "It's pleasing to be able to add Martin to the full-time squad for next season. He has been unfortunate since he joined us with injuries, meaning he has been unable to string any decent run together to prove his form.

"He has finally got a few games together of late and demonstrated in those that he still has a lot to offer to the Club and it was pleasing to see him get his first try on the board at Doncaster. He is a solid player and a really likeable lad. His invaluable experience of being in a full-time environment will be a great benefit to us in this transitional year into full-time."

Leigh Centurions Head Coach Paul Rowley said: "Martin has been at our Club for a couple of seasons but every time he has hit form he has then got injured. Recently he has had a good run of games and form.

"It is very pleasing to add someone of Martin's experience to the full-time squad for next season. It helps give a strong feel to the squad and applies even more pressure to the fantastic group of players we have in our middle unit. Martin is low maintenance and I am delighted to have him around for at least another year." ​

Can't say I was expecting that

Well, all I can say is enjoy the rest of this season!!
Next years "Mad Monday" will be at some OAP's Club!!

Paul Rowley know's what he is doing.....good luck Martin, with yer injuries..etc

He's only managed to put together and coach a squad good enough to win 20 games and a bonus point this season (out of 21). I can see why JC would question his signings as PR has such a shakey record this season


We need to remember that we need to build on a budget, not go poop or bust. The recent more experienced signings are obviously a balance of SL experience, quality, squad needs, AND budget needs.
The one year contract is an obvious precaution due to his recent injury problems and age. A risk, but I trust it's a fully calculated one by PR and the BOM.

Good tough player with bags of experience another good full time appointment

When we signed Martin Aspinwall it felt like he was the best signing in a long time but the number of first team appearances and his impact in those games has for me been very limited. Quite obviously serious injuries have been a major obstacle but the bottom line in that he has been with us for nearly 2 seasons and his total contribution related to the investment to date can only be judged as a poor return. It feels like Martin owes the club and the fans - let's hope he can deliver over the next year plus.
I am trusting PR's judgement again as his track record speaks for itself, but I do hope he is proven to be right on this signing.

Makes sense to me. Obviously rated by rowley hence the last few weeks. Experienced, professional, provides further depth in the squad.

Coach picks the players he wants to get the job done, aspinwall came after a great season at hull and has fired blanks for us, maybe he needs a full time structure and maybe his body has healed after so few games
Coaches are judged on results and Paul hasn't done too badly this season so far

I try to refrain from commenting on team matters but feel it's important people understand the facts on this one and the fact is that Martin was already a contracted player for next season with one year left on his current Part Time deal. The decision to improve his terms and make him full time is effectively a top up on his existing contract that he already had and reward for his efforts and commitment and professionalism he's shown this year.

I know Martin was closely monitored by Derek, Paul and the staff in his recent loan spell at Swinton were he found some fitness and form making the Championship team of the week for them and performing very well and he was brought back to feature for us and has played consistently three weeks running to cement his place in the FT squad next year.

Some of the small minded comments made with a lack of facts and knowledge is staggering at times but hey ho we carry on moving onwards and upwards choosing to keep our glass firmly half full and looking positively at every move we make.

I was interested to read some of the negative posters of the Jefferies signing were defending Fev signing Rooney, says it all really doesn't it........

I'd really love to see you spend an hour in the gym, training pitch or wrestling ring with one of our OAPs mate.

That would make interesting viewing for the LCTV cameras



Indeed why don't you line yourself up for the charity boxing event and I will see if Derek and Paul can line you up against one of our OAPs all for charity of-course?

I await the PM......

PM being Post Mortem?

Excellent post Andy !

One look at the photo of Martin in full flight that goes with the article on the website, tells me that you may not get that PM Andy.

At it again I see what is your problem with the club?

Things have never been so good as a leigh fan and yet every comment you make is negative one?

Martin has been unlucky with injury since joining us ,but recently has shown that he is still top class.Great signing.

32/33 is not too old , hes been just unlucky, when he plays he plays well and never lets us down

Don't have one, but what is YOUR problem to single out me, when the second and seventh posts in this thread were also negative!

Some GREAT signings this year, no question, playing with pride and commitment, just not too sure on this!

Also, YOU turned my praise for Pitman and Hankinson into a negative by saying they were not centres........well this next fact makes a mockery of your argument.......McNally was NOT a full back when he signed, and Kay wasn't a winger either!! Just look how good they are in those positions now!!

Quote ="joanne callotte"Don't have one, but what is YOUR problem to single out me, when the second and seventh posts in this thread were also negative! Some GREAT signings this year, no question, playing with pride and commitment, just not too sure on this! Also, YOU turned my praise for Pitman and Hankinson into a negative by saying they were not centres........well this next fact makes a mockery of your argument.......[size=150McNally was NOT a full back when he signed,[/size and Kay wasn't a winger either!! Just look how good they are in those positions now!!'" Our survey says..........wrong again Greg came to us as a fullback though the modern fullback is a pivot anyway. www.examiner.co.uk/sport/rugby-l ... ly-4989965 Kay played Centre against us last year and scored a hat trick of tries on his final appearance for Wakey as a winger so not much of a radical position change as it may seem is it??. Indeed its a myth he came as a halfback and PR has gone on record to state he has no desires to play as a HB either. Maybe we are different but when im not sure on something I usually keep my own council and see how it pans out and give people the benefit of doubt rather than in the first instance resorting to insults which is how I took your comment you made about a young man current first teamer who has achieved so much in the game as a professional athlete referring to OAPs in the same sentence.

Quote ="joanne callotte"Don't have one, but what is YOUR problem to single out me, when the second and seventh posts in this thread were also negative! Some GREAT signings this year, no question, playing with pride and commitment, just not too sure on this! Also, YOU turned my praise for Pitman and Hankinson into a negative by saying they were not centres........well this next fact makes a mockery of your argument.......[size=150McNally was NOT a full back when he signed,[/size and Kay wasn't a winger either!! Just look how good they are in those positions now!!'" Our survey says..........wrong again Greg came to us as a fullback though the modern fullback is a pivot anyway. www.examiner.co.uk/sport/rugby-l ... ly-4989965 Kay played Centre against us last year and scored a hat trick of tries on his final appearance for Wakey as a winger so not much of a radical position change as it may seem is it??. Indeed its a myth he came as a halfback and PR has gone on record to state he has no desires to play as a HB either. Maybe we are different but when im not sure on something I usually keep my own council and see how it pans out and give people the benefit of doubt rather than in the first instance resorting to insults which is how I took your comment you made about a young man current first teamer who has achieved so much in the game as a professional athlete referring to OAPs in the same sentence.

My dad says OAP means older and prouder

Captain , this is not like you , praising a Wiganer









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What does your Dad know ?Only Charlie knows

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My dad says I should humour you as you a re a nice bloke but never listen to a word you say, his mate blacky said the same

Nossy , I AM a nice bloke , a very nice bloke .

Charles,Glad to see youve managed to extricate yourself from the good doctors rear end.





anybody who pulls on a leigh shirt is a Leyther in my book.Aspinwall is no exception,good whole hearted player,who we havent seen the best of....yet