Leigh go into administration

Leigh's place in the new National League One is safe, despite their application yesterday to go into administration. The club, who were one victory away from Super League at the end of last season, have debts of £500,000 and are being riven by a boardroom split.

"It's a very sad day," said Leigh's chairman, Mike Nolan, who now plans to resign. "We are working closely with the Rugby League and hopefully we can rectify the situation."

The League's finance director, Nigel Wood, said that a bylaw due to take effect at the end of January relegating National League One clubs going into administration would not apply to clubs already in administration. "That bylaw still has to be accepted by the game and, even if it is, it will not apply retrospectively," he said.