HUNDREDS of people joined a plethora of former Leigh rugby league stars at a sportsman’s dinner on Friday to raise funds for the John Woods Statue.

The event at Leigh Miners raised more than £7,000 towards the £30,000 needed to place a permanent bronze tribute to Leigh legend John Woods on the plaza outside the Centurions’ Leigh Sports Village stadium.

The dinner, which attended by 210 people and had a ‘Class of 82’ theme, brought together members of the famous Leigh side that won the championship title.

Joining John Woods for the event were Derek Pyke, Steve Tomlinson, Mick Stacey, Des Drummond, Steve Donlan, Ian Potter, Alf Wilkinson, Phil Fox, Kenny Green and Ray Tabern, who flew in from France especially for the reunion.

As well as the players the then Leigh chairman and current honorary life president Brian Bowman was also in attendance.

John said: “To have this group of players together makes me feel very proud. We shared a very special time of our lives together and will remain in the history books at Leigh.”

One of the auction prizes was a signed and framed painting of John donated by local artist Gillian Hamilton.

This went bought for an incredible £1,500 by Alan Hindley.

The committee say the target of £30,000 is within reach, especially with the support of Lord Peter Smith at the council.

Over the next few weeks the committee will run an auction for special, unique memorabilia and also a raffle to win a signed framed John Woods shirt.

Anyone who would like to sell tickets (just £1 each) or more information on the statue can email woodysstatue@yahoo.com.