FORMER England RFU head coach Brian Ashton was at Leigh Sports Village complex where he was guest speaker at Wigan Borough Sports Council's annual meeting.
Ashton was invited to appear alongside Trevor Barton, who made his final appearance as chairman of WBSC, Rodney Hill (chief executive of Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust) and former Wigan Rugby League international and GB team manager, Phil Clarke (president of WBSC).
Clarke said: "We invited Brian because of his strong links with Leigh and with rugby in particular. We were delighted that he accepted our invitation, which gave us a chance to show the work that voluntary sports groups do in the area to maintain social cohesion in an otherwise deprived area."
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Ashton took a tour of the sporting facilities in his former home town of Leigh, including the new £6.4m Leigh Indoor Sports Centre and said: "I can't believe what a transformation the Sports Village has made to Leigh, and the range of fantastic sporting facilities now available to the people of the town. I'd like to come back when the stadium is open and see these excellent facilities in action."
Noted both nationally and regionally for his services to sport, and in particular rugby football, Brian was arguably the man responsible for the most exciting period of English rugby when, as assistant coach to Clive Woodward from 1998 to 2002, England played their most exciting brand of rugby for many years.
Chief Executive of Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust Rodney Hill said: "We believe the facilities are some of the finest in the region and are working closely with the rest of the partners at Leigh Sports Village to make this one of the most vibrant sporting areas in the North West."
Ashton was controversially removed as the national side's head coach last month.
The Leigh Grammar School old boy was brought Opal Grove near Leigh Bridge and played for Tyldesley RUFC and Orrell and held coaching posts as Ireland head coach and RFU National Academy manager.
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