AS LEIGH Centurions head towards a record-breaking championship rugby league season, they have their own Government champion pressing a claim for Super League status.

This week in the House of Commons, Leigh MP and rugby league follower Andy Burnham tabled a motion that would open what he called the closed-shop Super League.

He got the signatures of fellow MPs Neil Turner (Wigan), Widnes's Derek Twigg, Keighley's Ann Cryer, Chorley's Lindsay Hoyle and All Party Rugby League Committee chairman David Hinchcliffe to support his call for the introduction of a regular promotion and relegation system between the big-money Super League and the Northern Ford Premiership.

He wants to break the elite clique and believes this is necessary if the 13-a-side code is to thrive.

Speaking exclusively to the Journal Mr Burnham said: "We do not have direct control over Super League, but rugby league has had a lot of lottery money from the public to develop the game. But it appears the Super League clubs don't want to admit anybody else.

"What I am after is just basic fairness within the sport.

"At Leigh, the club is in the middle of the rugby league heartland. There is a buzz about the place and they need to get rewarded. If they don't, it doesn't further the interest of the sport as a whole."

He said: "I think it only fair that the successful teams from the NFP are properly rewarded with promotion for the league champions and play-off winners."

Mr Burnham, an ex-county schoolboy cricketer, keen sportsman and a regular visitor to Hilton Park, said the Centurions are confident about the future and meeting all ground improvement requirements.

His motion tabled in Parliament reads: "That this House congratulates Leigh, Widnes, Rochdale, Oldham, Featherstone Rovers, Dewsbury, Hull Kingston Rovers and Keithley Rugby League clubs on reaching the play-off of the Northern Ford Premiership;

notes that the line-up includes clubs with a proud tradition and illustrious history in the Rugby Football League;

believes all sports need to hold out the hope of promotion to competitors if they are to maintain their public appeal in the long term;

and calls on the Super League to accept the NFP league champions and NFP play-off winners in to the Super League as a step towards establishing a proper system of promotion and relegation between the two leagues."