ON and off field, Leigh Centurions' aim is Super League.

Call me a heretic, but after the intimidation and aggression from Warrington in the Challenge Cup, Paul Terzis's comments on those tactics and the disgraceful scenes at Wigan on March 2, I ask should the club even think of going up?

If promoted, they would spend money they haven't got to build up the muscle power needed in Super League, buying cast-offs from other clubs, plus unknown, or 'past it' overseas players on unsustainable contracts.

Leigh might compete against Salford, Huddersfield, Wakefield, but would be trounced by top clubs.

Players would be injured, maybe disillusioned, support would fall and the club could be where it was four years ago (and in 1939) -- on the brink of extinction.

All this for what? Not for more enjoyable rugby, because that currently played by Leigh is as entertaining as any I've seen since I began to follow them in 1946, and certainly better than most on offer in the Super League.

I watch Leigh hoping to see good football, with more games won than lost. This has been achieved on average in the past, during most of which time there was one division. Leigh met all the Lancashire clubs but few from Yorkshire.

They no longer entertain the top teams, but we can see them thumping hell out of each on TV, and get live enjoyment from attractive matches with Widnes, Dewsbury, Keighley, Swinton, Oldham, Hull KR, Featherstone, Doncaster and the Cumbria clubs. Far better to be a big fish in this small pond than to risk the big pond of Super League.

Some argue that non-promotion means losing good players. In all sports, team and individual, the ambitious gravitate to the best clubs and facilities, to achieve recognition and better rewards.

Leigh have lost good players, but they have been replaced by exciting new talent. The club's development work should guarantee a constant supply of new blood.

My advice to Leigh Centurions -- stay in NFP, continue to entertain and stay solvent. My plea to all who travelled to Warrington -- come also to Hilton Park, and enjoy good rugby.

A final point. The referee who gave Leigh no protection against Warrington's intimidators is the one who had to deal with their tactics in their game against Wigan. Interesting!

Mr J B Griffin

Oakwood Drive

Leigh