LEIGH Centurions full-back Gregg McNally is staying with the club for 2020.

McNally returned to Leigh for a second stint in January this year from Bradford Bulls in a move part-funded by the Leigh Independent Supporters Association (LISA) and scored 17 tries in only 25 games.

McNally, 28, said: "There was only ever one club I wanted to be at next season so I'm delighted to be staying at Leigh.

"I count myself as an adopted Leyther and my family are very happy here. I'm really looking forward to getting a good pre-season under my belt because I have not had a full pre-season in two years. I'm desperate to improve my fitness and make sure I'm ready for the new season.

"I was frustrated to lose my place at the back end of last season so I will be working hard and want to lay down a marker."

After making a name for himself as a teenage half-back with his hometown club Whitehaven, famously scoring the last try at Hilton Park in 2008 in a play-off game, McNally moved to Huddersfield Giants from where he spent loan spells at Oldham and Barrow.

He arrived at Leigh in 2012 earning #HN1350, playing alongside current Centurions head coach John Duffy, and went on to make nearly 150 appearances for the club. In that time, he scored 94 tries and kicked 20 goals.

Ireland international McNally was a member of Leigh's Northern Rail Cup-winning team in 2013 and also scored a try in the 2014 Championship Grand Final triumph over Featherstone Rovers.

On returning to Leigh from Bradford, he proved his versatility in the 2019 season by playing on the wing when called upon as well as at full-back, finishing as the club's top try-scorer and was crowned the LISA Player of the Year.

He also became only the 11th player in Leigh history to score one hundred tries for the club.

Leigh Centurions head coach John Duffy said: "This was a big one for us and the deal took quite a bit of time to get over the line to make sure everything was right for Gregg and his family.

"Gregg's been back in training after his recent stint with Ireland, helping them qualify for the 2021 World Cup and has shown me that he's raring to go. He's looking good in training and knows where he needs to improve on last year.

"Last season, Gregg was our top try scorer so hopefully he can take that kind of form into next season and have a good year.

"Gregg is keen secure his long-term future after he stops playing so in partnership with Leigh College we've come up with a plan for him to coach their team and hopefully oversee a link between us, helping our young players. He's also going to be studying for a qualification with the college."