Leigh Centurions RLFC, who have been locked in a legal dispute with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), have had the winding up petition presented against them by HMRC dismissed by the High Court.
Upon hearing the application, Registrar Derrett formally dismissed the petition, whilst counsel for HMRC requested that there be an order for costs against the club.
Had a winding up order been made by the Court, the Leigh Centurions would have been compulsory wound up and put into the hands of the Official Receiver, whose role would have been to take over its financial affairs and sell off its assets in order to pay creditors. This would have ultimately brought the business to a close.
The dismissal of the winding up petition has meant that the cup final on Saturday between Leigh Centurions and Sheffield RUFC can go ahead as planned. The match day revenue will bring much needed income to Leigh Centurions which could help reduce the club’s debt.