By Dave Woods BBC Sport

Triple exit hits Leigh

Supporting their local side has been a tortuous pastime for the fans of Leigh RLFC.

In the 23 years since the heady days of winning the title under the mercurial Alex Murphy, the club has had more downs that ups.

That championship side of 1982 boasted such legends as John Woods, Des Drummond and Steve Donlan.

But the club has been short of quality both on and off the field since.

After 1982, the club enjoyed a yo-yo existence, with biennial battles for promotion followed inevitably by struggles against relegation.

Prior to 2004, their last promotion came in 1992, when Kevin Ashcroft was coach.

Just two years later, they were relegated from the top flight, having won just two of their 30 games under Steve Simms.

When the Super League era dawned, Leigh were found languishing amongst the also-rans in the lower divisions.

Ian Millward, an unknown Australian at the time, helped put the club back on the right footing before his move to St Helens.

But it was to be another five years before the club finally achieved their Super League dream.

From a standing start of semi-professionalism and with the pick of their players tied to other clubs, times were always likely to be difficult

Agonisingly for their fans, they fell at the final hurdle in 2000, 2002 and 2003 as well as losing to Widnes in the 2001 elimination semi-final.

But 2004 was to be their year.

After a season in which they ran neck and neck with Whitehaven, they beat their Cumbrian rivals in extra time in a thrilling final at Halton Stadium.

Finally, Leigh were back in the top flight.

But from a standing start of semi-professionalism and with the pick of their players tied to other clubs, times were always likely to be difficult.

Now, just six weeks into the new season, the Super League dream is turning into a nightmare.

According to executive director Phil Coffey, life alongside the likes of Leeds, Bradford and St Helens has been "far more difficult than anticipated".

And with two teams going down this season, survival already looks like a long shot.