Leigh Leopards rebrand clouded with doubt after an opening day loss to rivals Salford
Leigh Leopards have recently pulled out all the stops to make their return to the Super League stand out – but after one game questions are already being asked.
Leigh fell to a 20-10 defeat on home soil to their local rivals Salford Red Devils in the Super League 2023 curtain-raiser on Friday night.
It was Leigh’s first match back in the Super League after their 2022 promotion from the second division.
Furthermore, it was their first ever competitive fixture as the Leopards, after they had a complete club rebrand over the winter.
The rebrand included the name change, a new logo and kit design as the newly-named Leopards try to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
But the defeat has already posed some question marks, what they’re doing in order to achieve survival?
And if they go straight back down what was the point in changing the identity of the club?
Head coach Adrian Lam, who led the club through last year’s title-winning Championship campaign, was very vocal and honest when asked about what he thought of the changes at the club.
He said: “There is a real buzz around the place and the town, wholesale changes have happened and it’s all to try and achieve our goals of survival.
“Everyone has settled into the new skins and the new identity. I’ve been a massive fan of the way we’ve gone about everything, changing the name, the logo, the team. It seem like everyone’s happy.
“Different players, different logo, different name, different time.”
The club made the night of their return memorable before a ball was kicked, the budget was blown on a couple of pre-match showings.
From firework displays to live music performances, the owners have tried to bring fans on side, as they seem to be buying into the project.
Over 8,000 people attended the game on Friday night, huge numbers for a club of Leigh’s size, a lot of people have high expectations for them this season.
Lam added: “It feels like we have got our seat back at the table with the big boys, we’re not just here to make up the numbers.
“The last three times Leigh have been in the Super League they have been automatically relegated, so I’m looking forward to the challenge of braking that spell.”
Now that we have witnessed the results of the opening round, the task of survival for Leigh looks even greater.
The outcomes of their next few matches could be vital in the success or failure of their rebrand, but it won’t be easy with the strength of the competition this year.
Up next are two tough trips to Catalan and Hull KR, before they host the champions of 2022 in St Helens.
