Leigh prop Tom Spencer keen to make most of full-time Super League opportunity

Leigh prop Tom Spencer says the chance to play in Super League again has been a “long time coming”, but is determined to make the most of it.

The 30-year-old had a taste of top-flight rugby after coming through the ranks at hometown club Wigan between 2012-13 before joining Leigh on a permanent deal in 2014.

Spencer has four Championship titles to his name but, surprisingly, has not tasted Super League action since.

The powerhouse prop was on a part-time deal with Leigh last season but has gone full-time in 2021 and is determined to make the most of his time back in the top-flight.

Spencer said: “I was doing some drilling on sites first then I moved over to being a labourer for a bricky and then I qualified as a financial advisor so I was doing that for a bit and then I obviously got the nod to go full-time again.

“I was a youngster at Wigan and I had a taste of Super League. My plan was to go back (down to the Championship), get some experience and come back up but whether it was for getting injured or being out of favour – it didn’t quite happen.

“I’ve ended up winning the Championship four times but not actually getting to go up on the back of it, so this has been a long time coming and I want to have a good go at it. Who knows what we can achieve? We are aiming high.

“The squad has the potential to do some good things but we are not taking anything for granted.

“We are just going to work hard and put in maximum effort and hopefully with that will come good results.”

Spencer, who has made more than 100 appearances for Leigh, is keen to see where the Centurions can go in 2021.

He said: “We’ve signed quite well. There is a lot of lads I’ve played with from previous teams so I know their qualities and there are lads who I’m looking forward to playing with.

“I can already tell from pre-season and what we’ve done in training that it is going to be a good journey.”