Local Heroes? : Mon Mar 12, 2018 9:24 pm
The lack of Leigh born players in the team got me wondering whether this is a recent phenomenon or if it has been declining for many years. Always one for the long view and with half an hour to spare a quick run through the heritage booklet came up with the following results for players that debuted for the club from Leigh (amateur) teams as an overall % of all players that made their debut. From the 1920s to 2000, the figure is steady at around 25% reducing to 11% from 2000-09, and now at 5% for 2010-18. My question is, as a hotbed of Rugby League, why do more local players no longer debut for Leigh? Is the talent no longer there? Does it matter?1900-09 47% 1960-69 19%
1910-19 53% 1970-79 27%
1920-29 26% 1980-89 26%
1930-39 33% 1990-99 26%
1940-49 25% 2000-09 11%
1950-59 21% 2010-08 5%