STAR players from Leigh Centurions said a huge thank you to their sponsors at a special event.

The team turned up at the Holiday Inn Express in Leigh to applaud the various firms for their continued support.

As part of the event, players met with their individual sponsors to receive their thank you gifts after an extremely successful 2015 season.

Shirt sponsors were presented with a framed shirt signed by the team and player sponsors received a signed shirt from their particular player.

The Holiday Inn Express, which has recently undergone a £1m refurbishment, held the event in its new Fire Place Lounge and a laid on a hog roast dinner on the terrace.

The hotel sponsors player Gareth Hock and supports the club by hosting evening and daytime events.

Amanda Lee, Commercial Manager for Leigh Centurions, said: “The event was to thank all the continuous support throughout 2015 from the sponsors.”

Dawn Holden, of Holiday Inn Express, said: “We felt the sponsorship would help forge a great working relationship and network with the club and in turn show the Leigh Centurions fans and local residents of our investment in the town not only in to the hotel and its products and services but also to the local community. The hotel will continue to offer support to any pre or post match events as we continue to work together in partnership with the club."

Leigh Centurions have just won the championship shield for the second year running and are now about to battle it out for super league status.

Leigh MP Andy Burnham said he has every confidence in the team to get to the super league and stay there.

He said: "I first went to see them when I was 10 and I have been with them all the way.

"I think we have got the best team we have had and you can just feel the excitement in the town.

"It's all there, everything is in place to go up a level and stay there and that is what I am hoping.

"I have got great respect in Paul Rowley- he has built great support and he has a really determined team with him.

"I am involved in my own fight at the moment so there are two fights for Leigh- so I understand the pressure they are under and sympathise with that.

"But Leigh is fighting it out and I have every confidence in them and as a town we are collectively behind them."