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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Jonathan Liew

Scrapping promotion and relegation in Super League betrays a lack of ambition

Leigh Centurions celebrate their promotion from the Championship
Leigh’s celebrations will be a thing of the past if IMG’s proposal to scrap promotion and relegation is approved. Photograph: Richard Walker/ProSports/Shutterstock

The hooter sounds and Blake Ferguson sinks to his knees and in that moment everything seems to dissolve a little. The exhausted Leigh Centurions players collapse into each other’s arms; fans cling to each other in the stands; the shy and retiring Leigh owner, Derek Beaumont, reluctantly steps on to the pitch, looking genuinely dismayed that the television cameras seem to be homing in on his leopard-print shirt and extravagant dance moves.

Still, everyone can be excused a little exuberance. For once more Leigh are back in Super League.

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