Leigh Centurians admitted to Super League
Head coach John Duffy: ``I've just stopped crying - I'm so happy"
Leigh Centurions have been admitted to Super League for the 2021 season, replacing Toronto Wolfpack.
Lord Caine, leader of an independent panel charged with selecting which of six remaining applicants would be promoted, announced the decision on Sky Sports News.
Toronto withdrew from Super League in July citing financial reasons, and their bid to rejoin for the 2021 season was rejected after a vote of fellow member clubs last month.
Toulouse Olympique, Bradford Bulls, Featherstone Rovers, York City Knights and London Broncos were the other clubs bidding for selection.
Leigh have not played in Super League since they were relegated in 2017, but had won all four of their games in this year's curtailed Championship campaign.
Lord Caine said: Each of the six applicants was judged strictly but fairly against the agreed criteria. All were of high quality and I would like to pay tribute to the clubs for that.''
Leigh head coach John Duffy told the PA news agency: I've just stopped crying - I'm so happy for everyone who has put so much work into the criteria document.
We are Super League-ready - we've got a stadium which is hosting World Cup games, a chairman who is putting in the money, and we've been there and done it.
I think it's exciting more than daunting. We are straight in with getting up to speed, and our goal is to give it a good go and make sure we stay in Super League.''