Crowd trouble could hamper Leigh Leopards' IMG grade as Derek Beaumont sends fan message

Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont.
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Derek Beaumont has called on Leigh Leopards' supporters to represent the club with "their utmost respect" when they travel to Salford Red Devils in the play-offs. The Leopards have sold out their allocation and are set to travel in their thousands at a game that is set to be a sellout.

Such has been the demand for tickets, Beaumont has claimed there are Leigh fans who have purchased tickets in areas of the ground where Salford fans will be situated, which does come with the risk of crowd trouble.

As a result, the club owner has sent a message to supporters asking for them to be on best behaviour, warning that the club could be punished on the IMG gradings if there is fan trouble.

"I would like to ask all our fans to be mindful that they represent our club and our brand and to show their utmost respect in doing so," Beaumont told the club message.

“Salford are great friends and neighbours of ours and whilst the players will go hard to battle with each other, we must remain composed in our support. The club has worked really hard to attain Grade A status and it would be a real shame for a sanction to undermine that.

“I understand that passion will be high, I am an advocate of that, but I ask that our supporters prevent that from over spilling by entering the pitch should we win.

“It will of course be new territory to us, to reach a semifinal of the Super League, but we must be composed and celebrate from the stands.

“Equally, if it brings down the curtain on our season the players will visit our fans at the sideline. This won’t be possible if there are issues on the pitch.

“It’s our second successful year of reaching the play-offs and our team will give you everything they have to be the best version of themselves.

“Please do the same by showing we have class fans who will support us as the best version of themselves."

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