TOMMY Cunningham has traded in his players' agent licence to become Leigh Centurions' new chief executive.

Cunningham began in his new full-time position on Monday and immediately set to work on steering Leigh towards their Super League goal.

With a daily, hands-on role, Leigh believe that Cunningham's appointment could be a crucial factor in deciding whether the club is deemed worthy of a place in the elite division.

"Until now all the directors have been giving their time, doing various functions as well as running their own businesses. But in preparation for Super League that cannot continue," says chairman Mike Nolan.

Daily basis

"This club is run as a business and it needs someone here on a daily basis who can take it up to the next echelon. Tommy can do that for us."

A member of the famous Cunningham family from St Helens, Tommy made his name as a player at St Helens and Warrington but for the last five years he has been one of the best known players' agents in the game.

"It's a classic case of poacher tuned game-keeper," Cunningham joked as he looked round Hilton Park. "For years I've been trying to get the best deals I could for players - now I'll be trying to knock down their asking prices!"

Cunningham says he has been looking to get into the administration side of the game for some time but it was his friendship with Mike Nolan, a former business associate, that steered him towards his new involvement with Leigh.

"It's something Mike and I have been kicking around for sometime. I've played the game and run my own business and I feel I can offer the club a lot.

"I've been impressed with the Leigh set-up, their business plan and their directors and whether it be in Super League or the NFP, the club needs a chief executive to steer it forward and ensure it's run as a viable business."

Cunningham has now given up his players' agent business. "There would be a conflict of interest there, wouldn't there," he points out.

Step forward

Nolan sees the appointment as a massive step forward for the Centurions.

"The board felt that we needed someone with good organisational skills that can pull all the elements of the club together. We needed someone who knew the playing scene, could talk to and attract players that will be needed in Super League and who would generally introduce a considerable business improvement."

The chairman is adamant that the club can stand the extra financial outlay.

"There are no financial problems at Leigh," he declares.

When I came 14 months ago the club had already taken it's share of the Murdoch money. So when other clubs start shouting that they will struggle without an Sky money, we've already been down that road.

"We have had to generate our own income for this season and yet, despite no handouts, we have managed to put together a squad that is top of the table.

"We have still got some inherited debts but they are reducing significantly and we have paid off a loan to the RFL that was outstanding.

"There's no question that we are better fixed than the majority of clubs. We stand on our own two feet."