LEIGH Centurions have honoured the late Andrew Parkinson has been honoured with Posthumous Life Membership of the Club.

Andrew, who passed away of Covid-19 on 9 January at the age of 35, was a hugely respected employee who had spent most of his working life with Leigh Centurions and was a trusted friend to so many people within the club and the town’s community.

The honour, proposed by Club owner Derek Beaumont and agreed unanimously by the non-executive board, was immediately accepted by Andrew’s family.

Andrew will be cremated with the walnut plaque embossed with the Club’s badge and these simple words:

Andrew Parkinson 1985-2021.

Posthumous Life Membership Award, Leigh Centurions.

Our secret weapon, an outstanding, selfless team member, great friend to many.

You will never be forgotten. RIP.

Derek Beaumont said: “This honour would normally be bestowed upon someone towards the end of their contribution to the Club, but that isn’t possible in these circumstances.

“Whilst the award is in recognition of Andrew’s actual lifetime contribution to the Club, it is also very much in respect of what would have undoubtedly been his lifetime contribution had Covid-19 not taken him from us prematurely.

“Andrew is fully deserving of this respect from his beloved club, as he was one that put into the club far more than he ever received from it.

"It was his life, it was his family, it was his job, it was his hobby, it was his true love. The guest list for the restricted ceremony demonstrates this, beyond any doubt.

“Andrew will be respected and honoured by club representatives carrying him during the final stages of his journey to his resting place ahead of the hearing of the eulogy from our Chairman, Mike Latham. Andrew will also be respected by the club as he passes by the Leigh Sports Village as part of his final journey.

“It is a very sad time for Andrew’s family and also his ‘Famileigh’ but I hope people can draw comfort from the impact that Andrew’s passing has had on many people’s realisation of the seriousness of Covid-19.

“It has certainly made me much more focussed and I believe in his passing will have been the saving of others from the awareness he has created.”

Club chairman Mike Latham said: “The days since Andrew’s passing have been so difficult for us all, not least his parents Fred and Elaine and brother David.

“The tributes to Andrew have poured in from those who knew, liked, loved and respected him, from so many connected with Leigh Centurions but also from the wider Rugby League community. These, I know, have given the family great comfort at this time and are sincerely appreciated.

“On a personal level I spoke to Andrew more times over the last ten years than any other person other than my wife Janet and his passing has left a huge void in my life, as it has for so many others.

“I’ve been in regular contact with Fred and with other friends and colleagues who are experiencing exactly the same kind of emotions as I am.

“I’ve found it good to talk and to have an outlet for your feelings and as well as the sadness and huge sense of loss, we have shared some really happy memories and a few laughs at our favourite Andrew stories.

“Fred is already a Life Member for his outstanding contribution to the Club over many years and to have two members of the same family conferred with the honour of Life Membership is, I’m sure, unique in Leigh’s history."