An angry statement from the club's chairman claims Leigh Centurions ignored an agreement to maintain the facilities in a suitable condition for the football club.

Delays in completing the club's new home – the stadium at the Leigh Sports Village – mean Genesis have been left in limbo and will be forced to play their first matches almost 20 miles away in Chorley.

Chairman Dominic Speakman said: "Leigh Genesis don't have a lease as such at Hilton Park but have an agreement as part of the rugby club's lease that they will enable the football club to play its fixtures there. As part of that the rugby club are obliged to maintain the facilities in a condition such that the football club are able to play there.
"Over the summer the rugby club have used the pitch for matches, training and community activities to such an extent that the pitch is now in a dire condition.
"We were led to believe, before the end of last season, that we would be able to move to the new stadium for the new season. We still have no exact date we can move in, which makes planning near impossible."
Although the LSV's main stand is not yet complete, Leigh Genesis now plan to press the LSV to allow them to move to the stadium and occupy the East Stand.

Mr Speakman added: "The stadium in my opinion is more than capable of accommodating our games outside of the main stand.
"We're geared up – financially, administratively and on the pitch - for a move to the new stadium and the financial implications of not moving to the new stadium are significant.
"More disappointing has been the lack of support and assistance from those that have left the club in this situation. Both the LSV and the rugby club have a moral obligation to help the situation they've left us in.
"I've personally financed the club for the past six months to give the town a club to be proud of.
"After ploughing over £150,000 into the club, it is a kick in the teeth that I might now have to pay out to fix Hilton Park.
"I am disappointed for our supporters, who have been superb during my time at the club."
No-one from Leigh Centurions or Leigh Sports Village was available for comment.

Leigh Genesis will now play their first two fixtures against Ashton United on Tuesday August 19 and Ilkeston Town on Saturday August 23. Any season ticket holders unable to attend because of the change of venue will have a proportionate amount of the season ticket price refunded. Contact the club to make a claim.