A TRIBUNAL involving three former Leigh Centurions players found they were not wrongfully dismissed but that two of them had “unlawful deductions” made from their wages.

Sam Hopkins, Lachlan Burr and Danny Tickle were part of the squad that were beaten by Catalan Dragons in the Million Pound Game in September 2017 which relegated the club to the Championship.

Following the club’s defeat the board held discussions about “implementing a significant cost-cutting plan for 2018”, employment tribunal documents show.

CEO Matthew Chantler spoke with owner Derek Beaumont and coaching staff about which players should be given notice to end their contracts.

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Forward Sam Hopkins was sent a letter from the club telling him his contract would be terminated and he would receive payment up to January 2018.

But the Welsh international raised a formal grievance and said he had only just signed a three-year deal and expected his employment to continue.

A fine was also imposed on him for missing training, which he said was due to an injury. Australian Burr also had a deduction from his wages after being fined for missing training, which he said was due to being unwell.

The tribunal in Manchester was told all three players were not found to have been wrongfully dismissed and Hopkins was not judged to have been unfairly dismissed. But it was decided he and Burr had unlawful deductions made from their wages.

In reference to Danny Tickle, it was found the club was entitled to terminate his contract in January 2018, which he had signed in July 2017.