Alan McMullen, the former Carlisle and Workington Town forward is involved with Whitehaven as a fitness conditioner.

And ‘Damage’ believes that new coach Gerard Stokes is going to turn things round at the Recreation Ground.

He said on the eve of the big game with Leigh: “This appointment has given Ged a new lease of life and already there’s a terrific team spirit building under him.

“I’m convinced that we will beat Leigh on Monday and won’t be beaten again at the Recreation Ground.

“Here’s me talking about ‘we’ and I’m from Workington but that’s the sort of togetherness there is at the moment.”

Leigh have just appointed Neil Kelly as their new head coach to succeed Darren Shaw after he chose to stand down early last month less than 24 hours after seeing the Centurions humbled at Featherstone in the Northern Rail Cup.

Shaw stated 'personal reasons' as his decision leave Hilton Park, part way through his second season in charge.

New boss Kelly will travel to Whitehaven on Monday in a purely observational role before officially taking charge of preparations ahead of the visit of Featherstone Rovers to Hilton Park on the 18th May.

Yorkshireman Kelly, who enjoyed a long playing career with Dewsbury, Featherstone and Wakefield returns to Rugby League following three and a half years in Northern Ireland with union side Ulster.

After succeeding Tony Fisher at Dewsbury in 1996, he built a strong Rams side that was edged out in the 1999 Grand Final before winning in 2000. He then took Widnes into Super League, winning the coveted Coach of the Year award and also took charge of the Welsh international side before switching codes.

“I’ve enjoyed my time in Rugby Union.” He said, “But I always considered myself a Rugby League coach first. I’m more naturally a Rugby League coach, so it’s really good to be back.”

  “I always had a feeling that one day I’d coach Leigh. From an opposition point of view I’ve actually coached other clubs against Leigh in significant games that they have unfortunately lost.”

  “Looking back on the 2000 Grand Final for example, I thought that Leigh were the better side. If you can admire a club from afar, I’ve done that and when the vacancy became available, I was very quick in getting my application in.”

 “It’s nice that Leigh have shown the confidence in me, to coach them at this time when they are looking to move to the new stadium.

It’s a very important time for the club. I think we can build on some very solid foundations already there and build the club up. Whether it’s for next season or in three years time, I’ve got to build the club from top to bottom with the help of the people that have already done some good work.”

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