MARTYN Ridyard will cherish Leigh Centurions’ long awaited return to the Betfred Super League at Castleford on Friday more than most.

Seven months ago the one-time Leigh Miners favourite would have dropped back into the amateur code, frustrated by a lack of first team opportunity at his home town club.

“I could have gone on and spiralled out of control,” admits the local hero, poised for a top flight debut at the age of 30.

“Neil Jukes and Paul Cooke did well keeping me here.

“I am just a lad who wants to play rugby. I wouldn’t have been fussed going back playing amateurs.

“There was talk of going to Wakefield on loan and other clubs were mentioned but thankfully I stayed here and helped us get into Super League.”

However, it still took show down talks with head coach Jukes before Ridyard signed a new contract last July keeping him at the club until the end of 2018.

“I certainly didn’t bite my lip,” he smiles at the memory of their ‘discussions.’ “Me and ‘Jukesy’ had a few words. We are still mates now but things happen in a workplace whether it be in an office or back on the roofs.

“You have a little spat with the boss. But at the end of the day he is the boss and I have to do as I am told.

“We are paid professionals to do a job. Sometimes you can disagree. And that’s all it was.

“Over the years, at every pre season meeting, we have said everyone who is above you on the staff is always your boss.

“If it is the physio you do as you are told off them; if it is the conditioner you do as you told off them. They have our best interests at heart.

“There is no power tripping. Everything is done to get us better individually.”

Ridyard is definitely back in favour now. Barring any late recurrence of hamstring issues that forced him to miss the friendly wins over Wigan and Dewsbury, the Centurions’ goal kicking playmaker will step out to face the highly fancied Tigers.

“I was trying to rush back to play against Dewsbury. I felt I needed a couple of minutes under my belt.

“But the medical staff thought it was silly. So, as long as everyone is happy with how I am training, I am happy as well.

“The stuff we have done has been more intense this close season but in shorter periods. A lot smarter.

“In the past there have been training sessions where we have just ran and ran.”

Now all the hard work is done Ridyard can’t wait to get started.

“We played against Super League sides in the Middle 8’s and the Challenge Cup but it’s not quite the same,” he says.

“I just want to get that first official game and put a tick next to Super League player.”

Ridyard is expected to come up against former team mate Rangi Chase, outstanding in Castleford’s final pre season game-a 22-6 win at St Helens.

“Rangi has his head sorted now and I think he will have a good year,” confirmed Ridyard “He is happy at Cas and that’s the main thing for any player.”

Tigers finished fifth last season after an impressive Super 8’s campaign.

They are expected to do even better in 2017.

“On paper we look good but games are not played on paper,” says Chase. “We need to keep doing what we’ve done pre season which is challenging each other and setting new standards. Then we will be fine.

“Personally, I am a different person to when I was at Leigh. Things happened in my life a year ago. I was depressed and I was in a dark place. I am out of it now and I appreciate where I am.

“Everyone goes through hard times in life. It is how you deal with it.

“I enjoyed my time at Leigh. They were awesome to me.

“But I am looking forward to round one, not just because it is Leigh and I am trying to get one over on them but because it is the whole season.”