It is with great sadness and a feeling of deep shock that the Club has to announce the sudden death on Monday, 28th September 2009 of Brian Leigh at the age of 78.

This great man of rugby has been a lifelong member of the Wigan Club and, because of his services and the esteem in which he was held, he was elected President of the Club in 1982 and served in that role with great distinction for a period of 12 years. He remains Wigan’s longest serving President and was made an Honorary Member of the Club on his retirement from the Presidency in 1994.

However, his massive contribution to rugby union does not end there. He was, of course, an outstanding and highly respected referee and is a Past President of The Manchester and District Referees’ Society. He was also made an Honorary Member of that Society and of the Liverpool and District Referees’ Society. In more recent years, he has also made a telling contribution to the assessment and performance of elite referees at both national and international level.

He is also a Past President of The Lancashire County Rugby Football Union and, at the time of his death, was still serving the County with great distinction and commitment as its Honorary Secretary. He will be irreplaceable and sorely missed.

The Club’s deepest sympathy goes out to his three daughters, Anne, Helen and Janet and their respective families at this distressing time.

A more complete tribute will be posted in due course, as will details of Brian’s funeral arrangements, once they are to hand.