Leigh squad starts to take shape

Leigh Centurions continue to build their 2012 squad and have announced the signings of two further players to boost their hopes.

Cumbria Centre Matt Gardner, previously of Widnes Vikings and current Wales international Andy Bracek have penned deals at the Sports Village for the forthcoming campaign and are joined by Irish internationals Gregg McNally, Tommy Gallagher and Bob Beswick. The new quintet follow hot on the heels of Stve Maden, Dean McGilvray, Martyn Ridyard, James Taylor and Tommy Goulden who have all signed new deals for the club over the last week.
 
Gardner, 27, originally followed brother Adrian into the professional ranks and was snapped up by Leeds Rhinos as a youngster. A loan spell with hometown Barrow helped the Cumbrians to promotion and he also played one game for Castleford before a two season stint with Huddersfield. Matt became a key member of Salford’s successful 2008 squad, claiming 23 tries in 32 games before a year in the capital with Harlequins. For the last two seasons, Gardner has been a regular with Widnes Vikings and made 23 appearances last term, claiming three tries.
 
Local lad Bracek played his formative years with Leigh Miners Rangers before being snapped up by St Helens. He made one first team appearance for Saints before an £18,000 transfer saw him move to Warrington. While at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, Andy played 60 games over four seasons with the Wolves and he also enjoyed a short loan spell with Widnes that brought a try against Leigh. After making his international debut for Wales in 2007, he later moved to Barrow and collected the Championship trophy before more recently playing for Crusaders in Super League and against the best players in the World during the current Gillette Four Nations tournament.

Leigh are expected to announce a further signing over the weekend and continue to be active in the current transfer market.

The current Centurions squad is as follows, although doubts remain over the fitness of former Challenge Cup winner Ricky Bibey who still has 12 months of his current deal to run.

CENTURIONS 2012 SQUAD:
Craig Briscoe
Stuart Littler
Anthony Nicholson
Ricky Bibey
Ricky Murphy
Steve Maden
Dean McGilvray
Martyn Ridyard
James Taylor
Tommy Goulden
Tommy Gallagher
Bob Beswick
Gregg McNally
Matt Gardner
Andy Bracek