A GROUP of local businessmen are bidding to take control of Leigh Centurions.

One attempt to win control from chairman Mike Nolan and the current Hilton Park board has been unsuccessful. Now the new backers have decided to go public with their proposals.

Three of the consortium are existing board members with the others heading major businesses in the town and who have supported the Centurions in recent years through sponsorship packages.

The eight have pooled their cash, deposited £225,000 in a special bank account and registered a new company name - Sporting Club Leigh Ltd.

A successful takeover of Leigh at Hilton Park Ltd would lead to sweeping boardroom changes with no one person having overall control. The consortium's proposal was put to the Centurions' board on Monday night.

The consortium believe that Mr Nolan's counter-proposal is to invest £225,000 but in return wants to own 75 per cent of the company and all current directors should write off their loans to the club.

The consortium includes existing Centurions directors Steve Blakeley, Tommy Coleman and Steve Grainey with other members being Derek Beaumont and Phil Coffey.

"This action is being taken to protect the long-term future of the club which, we know, is in severe financial trouble." says Mr Coffey.

"Our first proposal was for a number of individuals to collectively put in £225,000 to re-structure the club's financial affairs. Mr Nolan initially wanted to get involved but when the deadline came for depositing the money, which was 5pm last Friday, his money hadn't been forthcoming. We're still wondering why that was after appearing so keen in the first instance."

"That meant two consortium members having to put even more money in to raise the necessary £225,000 in a matter of minutes."

"The consortium have now decided to proceed without Mr Nolan's investment. We have £225,000 in place to take over the company but our renewed proposal has been blocked. At the moment we are in a stalemate.

"The club is haemorrhaging severely and as such needs help," adds Mr Coffey.

The consortium's seven-point plan is:

All investors together raise £225,000 which will be placed into a non-associated bank.

Nominated trustees to be appointed who will also be the cheque signatories.

New limited company formed to control all assets of Leigh at Hilton Park.

Shares to be issued in the new company with its structure meaning it acquires Leigh at Hilton Park.

A new executive board to be introduced consisting of Mr Steve Blakeley and two other investors nominated democratically by the investors on a one vote basis per investment.

All other investors to take an active role at the monthly management meetings and be fully briefed by the executive board as requested or required.

The new company focus is on minimum break-even achievement.

Another consortium member, Derek Beaumont, says: "All our proposals are in the best interests of the club. All we are trying to do is protect the future and take it forward. Surely eight heads are better than one."

"The club's response to our plans has been disappointing but we felt that the time was now right for the people of Leigh to know our intentions. None of us are in this to make money, it's all about helping the club we love deeply.

"We don't feel it's right that one person should have overall control and that the club should be shared to protect it.

"We could give it a clean bill of health and move it forward.

"We hope the vast majority of fans will support us. If the groundswell of support is on our side, we will press on with our fight."

Mr Nolan says: "The club has been in debt for many years and the gamble for Super League last season didn't pay off. My proposal on October 10 was to inject £225,000 immediately into Leigh at Hilton Park in return for 75 per cent of the ordinary shares.

"This would have ensured pressing creditors would have been paid. Without this offer and had we won the Grand Final, we would not have gained promotion as no-one else made that commitment at the time.

"This still leaves a deficit but I'm confident the club would overcome that and prosper.

"The proposal from the consortium tabled on November 17 is specifically not to inject cash into Leigh at Hilton Park but for a new company which would not be responsible for the debts of Leigh at Hilton Park and I was uncomfortable with that so I decided not to be involved.

"It's not true to say the proposal was blocked. It is to be put to a meeting of shareholders which, as business-minded people are aware, needs 21 days notice. The two offers will be put to the shareholders and they will decide which is in the best interests of the club."