What a wonderful gesture from the club and thoroughly deserved Andrew xx. Well loved, much respected and forever missed. Proud of you bro, prouder than I've ever been about anything
#rugbyleague
related and prouder of this than anything I've ever done in the sport.
Thank you so much to everyone that has been compelled to comment or drop a message. Your kindness of thought is greatly appreciated. In time I will try and get round as many replies as possible xx
9.1.21 - A date forever etched in my mind. Exactly 12 months ago, you left us Andrew, and not a day goes by without me thinking of you. Taken far too soon. Love you brother x
It's been a worrying couple of months for us all and I am so pleased that there has been no spread of my mum's cancer and she doesn't require any further treatment. I am so thankful that we have the
#nhs
Thank you for all your well wishes.
Sad to hear about the passing of Des Drummond. Just as he was heading onto the after dinner circuit a few years ago I had a couple of meetings with him where he practiced his stories. He was great to listen to and I know how highly he is held in regard by
@LeighCenturions
fans.
I don't often take to social media to talk personal life. Today's an exception. Much love for my mum who goes into hospital for the removal of a tumour xxx
Now I'm the first to admit that after losing Andrew two years ago I still find visits to LSV emotional and strange and I have to steel myself professionally, and probably always will. I lived that last twenty minutes yesterday. What a performance
@LeighLeopardsRL
!
Everyone has been sidetracked by the size of the Leopard on front of the Leigh shirt that they missed the bit about
@LeighRLFC_
having a Women's Super League team - tremendous news and well done
@leighminersrl
and everyone for pulling that together.
A bit of personal news. Looking forward to working with
@officialncl
committee, clubs, sponsors and volunteers to advance the word this season.
#communityrl
. Thanks for asking me to get involved
@TheTrevorHunt
! Let's get started!
Productive morning. Finished Andrew's tribute for next week and given it a read through. Emotional at times, heartfelt and a bit different. Good to get it penned properly. :)
I know a lot of people, now sadly no longer with us, that would have been proud as punch at
@LeighLeopardsRL
heading to
@wembleystadium
for a first Challenge Cup Final appearance since 1971.
Just a note before any disillusioned folk pack
#rugbyleague
in, there are lots of excellent
#communityrl
clubs that you can get out to and enjoy what they have to offer.
It's three years to the day that my brother Andrew left us.
Andrew, not a day goes by where I don't feel your loss. You are always with me. You shone brightly, helped so many people and made a difference. Trips to
@LeighLeopardsRL
are never the same. I love you always ❤️
A happy Leopard returned to work today...I said that if
@LeighLeopardsRL
won at Wembley then the Leopard print would be out in the office. North Manchester was given a
#rugbyleague
education today. :)
Special thanks to
@LeighCenturions
for their feature on Andrew in the Matchday Programme. Very kind words from Mike Latham and
@derek_beaumont
. A real classy touch from the club.
I don't get some of the vitriol aimed at Derek Beaumont - supports a burgeoning Cup competition via
@ABSundecksLtd
and
@TheRFL
, then gets criticised for spending his money how he wants on players for
@LeighCenturions
. I suggest some people grow up.
Now it's time to back in the same numbers, appreciate the efforts of those players that remain and look to the future. There is still one.
@LeighCenturions
Big effort from those 17 players, coaching and backroom staff today
@LeighCenturions
. After such a traumatic week
@SheffieldEagles
certainly had the scent of blood. Really pleased for
@Kbones_p
, a guy I have lots of respect for that always fronts up.
Message to anyone attending Samoa v France in Warrington - stay on after the game you will be treated to skills and commitment aplenty from
@lions_rl
and
@NZRL_Kiwis
in the very first PDRL World Cup Final. Be part of history!
#rugbyleague
@RLWC2021
I hosted and gave some memories of growing up with Andrew and Mike Latham gave a super reading about his time with
@LeighCenturions
. It was an honour and a privilege.
Almost 30,000 interactions with
@OfficialNCL
twitter account in less than 24 hours. Tremendous support and it's what we can do working together and sharing message
#rugbyleague
#communityrl
A huge honour to be asked to present the "Andrew Parkinson Players' Teammate Award" at the
@leighleopards
LD Awards afternoon over at Golborne Parkside. A fine way for Andrew to be remembered. He would have been thrilled. Congratulations to the inaugural winner, Cameron Dunn!
After several dormant years I have relaunched my YouTube channel with the idea of chronicling all the places I visit in 2024 as a result of rugby league and marking the games. I put two videos live last night
Feel free to like, share and subscribe!
Thanks to everyone involved in the
@lions_rl
programme. Some magnificent people are right here in Italy with me. Honoured to receive this memento. Those that know me know about my love for the sport, and this competition is about making it memorable for the players.
The second presentation was made to our media officer
@DaveParkinsonRL
in recognition of his work in RL this year. Dave passed 100 games for the season during Saturday's round robin
@EuroRugbyLeague
U19s Championships.
For me, my RL involvements are about adding value to the sport. Its about the friends, people I meet, communities. It's about the right reasons. Others look for faults. I think there are opportunities. It's about having an open rather than closed mindset.
As a
#leyther
first and foremost and a
@LeighCenturions
fan, I am delighted that the club has been given this SL opportunity and I pay tribute to
@derek_beaumont
and everyone involved in pulling that application together.
Thanks for all the lovely feedback on the PDRL coverage. My thanks got to
@TheRFL
, In Touch Productions and Whisper productions for all their help and support and thank you for tuning in.
26 games commentated on this year across OurLeague / Twitch and that one sky highlights package. Thank you
@TheRFL
and all the clubs/countries. I also commentated 1 game for
@Irelandrl
facebook and was on hand for comments when
@lions_rl
U23 took on Ireland Clubs.
KIERON PURTILL APPOINTED HEAD COACH OF LEIGH CENTURIONS
Leigh Centurions are delighted to confirm the appointment of Kieron Purtill as Head Coach on a permanent basis.
For the full story please see
Thanks to
@LeighCenturions
for the invite on Monday. There will be a minutes silence before the game to remember everyone that has been lost - including our Andrew and Tommy Coleman. Again I can't thank everyone enough for how we have been treated and the messages we received
What a mix of emotions this trip has provided. The loss of Gary hit us all hard. My thanks go to all staff out here. Your company has been excellent and we've stuck together and looked out for each other throughout.
@lions_rl
Genuinely had some fantastic RL experiences. The last seven days are right up there A real honour and privilege to bring PDRL to a wider audience. Hope everyone enjoyed discovering the nuances as much as me. Huge congrats
@lions_rl
I know people will probably flame me for this but Liam Hood, Harrison Hansen, Matty Dawson-Jones and Peter Mata'utia didn't deserve to be on the losing side with the efforts put in. There was a lack of brains and urgency from some others though.
As we head towards the end of the year I'd like to thank everyone that's been on Twitter with me this year, a difficult one in so many ways. Your messages, DM's, thoughts, replies and opinions have been very much appreciated.
Derek Beaumont took a lot of stick from some quarters last year but his prompt action in offloading some big contracts probably saved Leigh. The latest goings on at Widnes just show that all bar 4-5 are playing at being full-time.
#rugbyleague
be
#realistic
#lackofdosh
Again thank you for all the wonderful messages, texts, whatsapp and cards, over 700 at the last count, and if you were part of that special guard of honour, thank you from the bottom of my heart. That was special.
So Leigh join the likes of Hemel and West Wales who I have at times this season spoken strongly about for fielding minimum numbers of players. No discredit to players involved - it shouldn't happen at pro-level. It's embarrassing when it happens at amateur level!
#playerwelfare
And finally this
@lions_rl
playing squad. You are remarkable young men. I am proud to know you, proud to have played my part out here and I look forward to watching your development as rugby players but more importantly as people. You will succeed in whatever paths you choose.
Really looking forward to heading over to Victoria Park tomorrow and working with everyone. I'm commentating on the PDRL World Cup over the next week - What an honour! BBC Online, Red Button, I-Player and RLWC App
Always proud, humble and grateful of the opportunities
#rugbyleague
has provided. It's never about me, it's about the game, it's about the players and people involved. It's always about the game. Whether writing or commentating, that love underpins everything.
What a good win that was. I've had the pleasure of seeing a lot of
@RyanBrierley
throughout his career, but for me that was his best performance for
@LeighCenturions
. Well played mate!
I love
#rugbyleague
too much to put up the "Abandon ye all hope" banners Women's RL is developing, will continue to develop and there are so many interesting stories and backgrounds to highlight. Keep going ladies. Unlike some, I can see the bigger picture.
Have had a couple of days off social media. Reflecting that I am not far from needing a total break, and indeed that's what I plan to do come the end of the current RL season.
Happy to be called into
@leagueexpress
action once more for the
@Chrishilly1987
testimonial game between
@WarringtonRLFC
and
@LeighCenturions
. It will be an honour having seen Chris develop from a 17 ur old academy player into a top international. Friday 5:30pm at Halliwell Jones
5th December was a watershed moment for me. Yes I joined a gym! Have been working hard since and already feeling better for it. Still early days of course. Investing more time in myself is certainly a good way to finish off 2023.
Sad to see
@LeighCenturions
travel with just 13 and finish with just 11. Keep fighting lads. I certainly appreciate all your efforts, even if following from a distance until the end of this season.
#keepgoing
#onemoretogo
#rugbyleague
Delighted for
@WorkingtonTown
. Class people, class club and will never forget the kind messages sent by them to me early this year. Much respect marras!
Just had my first covid vaccination. Everything professionally run at Leigh Sports Centre Hall. Really appreciate the efforts being taken by all staff.
A week on from the PDRL World Cup Final I'm still buzzing. I always try and remain positive but sometimes the politics and negativity around RL has an effect. Have to say though
@OfficialNCL
@lions_rl
this year and the PDRL experience and other opportunities have kept me fresh
Health update - currently weighing in at under 15 stone for the first time in several years. Not sure that counted back then as i hadn't eaten for ten days during my bout of covid. I've put some consistency to my actions over a number of weeks. Now feeling and seeing results.
Sad to hear that
@WaterheadARLFC
President Allan Booth passed away last night. He was a part of the club for over 50 years and a real RL man. Thoughts with all his family and many friends at this sad time.
Very sad to hear about the passing of
@LeighCenturions
club legend Mick Martyn. A man truly ahead of his game at the time. Thoughts with all family and friends.
When your little vid gets 45k views in a few hours - for those wondering - the 14 was confronted by Lions team-mates and a penalty given after the conversion was missed. This made the final score 8-52 to
@lions_rl