PAUL Rowley is confident that good can continue to come from Leigh Centurions dragging themselves away from being on the brink of extinction earlier in the off-season.

Leigh start the new campaign at home to Barrow in the Northern Rail Cup on Sunday, kick off 3pm, just months after financial difficulties left the club staring down the barrel.

At last, everyone’s attention can turn to competitive rugby again and Rowley, confirmed as head coach on a two-year contract last week, is among them after being rewarded for overseeing the assembly and pre-season of a 24-man squad in tough circumstances.

“I’m thrilled to bits for the opportunity to represent the town and the club,” he said.

“It’s been an interesting few months. We’ve all worked hard together at the club and from being on the brink of extinction, we’ve come back strongly and I think we are stronger for it in terms of trust, commitment and overall togetherness at the club, and a plan to go forward.”

He added: “I’m delighted to be in charge of the team. I think it's the first time that these lads are my lads really.

“They are who I’ve brought in and from that point of view it’s exciting for me that I get the chance to work with the lads that I’ve brought in. We'll hopefully do well and be successful this season.”

While people may point at his mixed spell in charge of the team in 2009, Rowley defended that record.

“On that occasion it was a team that somebody else put together who it hadn't worked out for, and I stepped into the breach.

“You can often be judged on that, but this is the time now where people can have a look and start judging if they like, but I am optimistic and looking to the future.”

That starts with the visit of Barrow, a team who have had their own difficulties since last season and had to face up to a 29pts deduction and consequent relegation to Championship One for breaking the RFL’s player pay rules “There will be no shortage of enthusiasm and passion from the Barrow boys,” said Rowley.

“I've done a little bit of homework and they are a very physical set and a bit like us really – you write them off at your peril.

“Barrow supporters, like Leigh’s, will just have been happy to get a team on the field, but now they've seen what they are capable of, I think they have been impressed and encouraged about their prospects. We certainly won’t be taking them lightly and we are opening our Northern Rail campaign with a very tough challenge.

“It’s currently our trophy and we don’t want to relinquish it too easily.”

Leigh head into the game with James Taylor and Michael Ostick sidelined and they continue to monitor Tommy Goulden, although Martyn Ridyard is set to play after missing the recent Wigan friendly.

Centurions, meanwhile, are looking to boost their crowd numbers.

After two home games the average gate is just over 1,700, with the club target above 2,000 to meet its obligations and make further investments.

The club is expected to take to Twitter with a ‘Fetch Bob campaign’ to help.

Fetch Bob is the brainchild of new director John Roddy, who continues to carry out a thorough review of the club’s communication and commercial channels.

“If we can boost crowds just 15 percent over the course of the season this would really help our cause,” he said.

“Fetch Bob simply means ‘Bring One Buddy’ and we hope that existing and new fans this year will support this initiative.”

l The next meeting of the Leigh Independent Supporters Association will take place on Wednesday at The Lancastrian Squash Club in Leigh at 7.30pm. New membership cards will be available.