Ridyard: 250 appearances seemed a pipedream

Leigh halfback Martyn Ridyard insists the possibility of making his 250th appearance for his hometown club was something he thought would never happen.

The 30-year old joined the Centurions back in 2009 after spending most of his earlier days at amateur side Leigh Miners.

He is on course to crack the 250-mark this season.

“I didn’t think I’d get to 250,” Ridyard said.

“That’d be brilliant especially if we survived and sitting maybe seventh or hopefully in that top eight.

“When we avoid the mMiddle 8s that’d be nice.”

Ridyard admitted he is excited by the test of experiencing Super League for the first time in his career.

The Centurions first top flight opponents for over a decade come in the shape of the Castleford Tigers away on Friday night.

“It’s a massive challenge which I’m looking forward to,” he told Love Rugby League.

“It still feels a bit surreal but I think when the first game comes around against Castleford it will hit us.”

Since joining the club Ridyard believes the opportunity for the Centurions to go full-time has had the biggest effect on their development over the last few years.

Leigh’s owner and head of rugby Derek Beaumont announced the plans ahead of the 2015 season.

“Financially we’ve been able to go full-time which has been great for us all,” he said.

“It gave us another chance to have a crack and get up there.”