Alstead signs new Leigh deal
Leigh Centurions winger Dave Alstead has signed a new one-year deal with the relegated club.
Alstead, 27, suffered through injury in 2009 but is just six games short of notching up a century of appearances for the Leigh club, having played for them in two separate spells – 2003-04 and 2007-present.
He was restricted to just eleven games last term after a double shoulder operation, but he registered six tries and was able to secure a settled spot in the side at the back end of the season, which saw Leigh relegated to Championship 1.
Alstead, who has also played for Rochdale, Swinton and Warrington, said: “It’s fantastic to get offered the chance to play for Leigh again next year. I’ve felt as though this year, I didn’t really bring to the table what I can because I’ve suffered with a couple of injuries here and there and it’s not like me to do that generally. I think I’ll benefit next year by playing with some more mature players, more experienced players on my inside.
“I think we did lack in some key areas and that echoed throughout the whole of the team. I’m really, really keen to stay on again at Leigh. I think next year we’ll see some strong results. It’s fantastic the commitment that the new guys have shown, the guys who are coming to Leigh are still keen to help the club achieve what they want to achieve by staying with their contracts. It shows fantastic prospects for the club next year, I think.”
“I’ve spoken to Ian (Millward) a few times whilst he’s been in Australia trying to sort out his team for next year. He’s had a chat with me, told me about his plans, told me about what he wants to do. He’s mentioned that he feels he can work with me and build on my strengths and minimise my weaknesses. I’m really looking forward to working with him to be honest, it’s all positives for next year so far!”
“My goal when we left Hilton Park was to feature in every game at the new stadium and that’s something I haven’t achieved so far although it is a goal for next season.
“I’m looking at these next twelve months to really shine in a team full of good players.”
2010 Assistant Coach Paul Rowley said: “In the last couple of months since moving to centre, Dave Alstead made a massive difference to us. He gives us a lot of strike out wide. In addition to this he competes strongly, is an experienced player and we were keen to retain him for 2010.”
