Crowds line the streets for Leigh Leopards ‘incredible’ trophy parade

With Lachlan Lam's golden point drop goal securing Leigh's first Challenge Cup trophy for 52 years, an open top bus parade was organised to mark the historic occasion on Sunday, August 13.

The Leopards bus passed through fans in Tyldesley and Atherton before heading to a party atmosphere in Leigh town centre.

READ > Derek Beaumont's message to Leigh supporters after cup final 

Crowds waiting for the team bus (Image: Leigh Journal)

With thousands of people out in Leigh to mark the occasion, fans spoke of the "incredible" atmosphere at Wembley for the nail biting final and how great it was to "be a part of history".

As the team bus made its way along Market Street for its final stop at Leigh Town Hall, thunderous applause was heard and chants of "Oh Leigh, Oh Leigh, Oh Leigh".

With the players showing off the trophy from the bus, the team then made their way to a stage in Civic Square to carry on the celebrations.

Head coach Adrian Lam, Lance Todd trophy winner Lachlan Lam, captain John Asiata, and chairman Derek Beaumont spoke to the crowd of adoring Leythers - with the chairman getting every member of the club to lift the trophy.

Showing off the trophy in Civic Square (Image: Leigh Journal)

Derek Beaumont said: "This isn't about what it means for me, it's what it means for the people of Leigh.

"As soon as we started making our way to Leigh it was incredible.

"[The Challenge Cup win] is down to this special group of players and human beings. Just like you’ve turned up in massive numbers, they’ve turned up again and again.

"I told the players this was our year, it was serendipity from 1921 to 1971 to 2023 - delayed two years by Covid.

"This is for all Leythers and all of those people looking down on us - they’re our 18th man".