Andy Heald

By Matt Lawton
June 3 2009

Leigh's UniBond League Division One North rivals Chorley have begun their rebuilding process ahead of the 2009/2010 season with the signing of three former Leigh players, all of whom have played for Leigh under the management of Chorley's current management team of Steve Waywell and Lee Merricks.

Chorley's official website is reporting the signing of no less than three former Leigh players in the shape of Andy Heald, Karl Brown and Wayne Maden as they look to make up for the loss of several key players at the end of last season.

It marks Heald's third departure from Leigh in his career, having made a total of one hundred and nineteen appearances for the club in three spells that have spanned from 2001 to 2009, scoring twelve goals. Heald scored three goals in seventeen appearances during the course of last season after rejoining the club from neighbours Leigh Athletic in 2009 following a spell with Radcliffe Borough.

A hard working midfielder, Heald's work ethic and pride in the shirt made him a particular fans favourite, and he will be linking up with two of his managers, Waywell having originally signed Heald as a youngster from Morecambe, while Merricks brought him back to the club for this third spell.

Given his genuine affection for his home town club, I'm sure it must have been a hard decision for Andy to leave the club, and as such I'm sure he'll be given a warm reception when facing his old club next season.

Joining Heald at Victory Park next season will be his midfield partner from the past season, Karl Brown, who links up again with Lee Merricks after making twenty one league appearances for Leigh Genesis since joining from Warrington Town in January 2009, his only goal coming in the 2-1 win over Bradford Park Avenue at the Leigh Sports Village Stadium in the club's last home game of the season in April.

Karl Brown

Completing the trio of ex-Leigh players to sign for the Magpies is commanding centre back Wayne Maden, who has previously been managed by Steve Waywell at both Leigh and Hyde United, and is another who is likely to receive a warm reception next season, having represented Leigh in the Football Conference.

Wayne Maden

Although ex-Leigh striker Chris Ward has joined Lancaster City, the former Leigh contingent currently stands at five players at Chorley, with Heald, Brown and Maden joining Lee Shillito and Gavin Lee-Ellison at Victory Park.

We wish all of the above players the very best of luck with their new clubs, apart from of course when they meet Leigh during the course of next season!

Healdy heads for Chorleigh

Discussion started by LG-SA.co.uk , 03/06/2009 22:27

LG-SA.co.uk
03/06/2009 22:27

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Leyther_Matt
03/06/2009 22:30

Gutted that Healdy has gone as I thought he was a real top performer towards the end of the season and, well, his record speaks for itself in terms of representing the club.

Wish him (along with Brown and Maden) the best of luck with Leigh Genesis B next season.

LG-SA.co.uk

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Leyther_Matt
03/06/2009 22:35

Though I must mention that all may not be done and dusted, apparently.

LG-SA.co.uk

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Leyther T
03/06/2009 22:47

gutted to see healdy go, he'll be back though , as for brown he was a good midfielder,not sure we will miss him too much, hope garry has got his sights set on midfield players with 2 of them gone

looks like chorley might be a force next season

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Leyther_Matt
03/06/2009 22:49

Always thought Brown as a bit hit and miss to be honest, very impressive some games and dire in others.

LG-SA.co.uk

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Leyther T
03/06/2009 22:53

yah, i just want to hear summat about our signings, been a bit quite, also want to know who we have retained

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Leyther_Matt
03/06/2009 22:55

Not every club have released their squad details yet, so I'm sure ours will be along shortly.

LG-SA.co.uk

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Leyther T
03/06/2009 22:58

hopefully, keep going on official site and nothing being said about anything, just want things to start happening, especially on the players front and even more important what big clubs want to play us in pre season friendlys

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Leyther_Matt
03/06/2009 23:00

This time last year, we were still Leigh RMI FC. A lot can happen between now and the start of pre-season!

LG-SA.co.uk

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Leyther T
03/06/2009 23:56

very true, just want to see games, getting bored haha

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Leyther_Matt
04/06/2009 10:15

You'd better start watching rugby then!

LG-SA.co.uk

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Leyther T
04/06/2009 11:40

healdy hasnt gone to chorley matt, see official site

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Leyther_Matt
04/06/2009 12:02

Hence my "Though I must mention that all may not be done and dusted, apparently" post last night after speaking to Healdy.

LG-SA.co.uk

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Nick_Astra_Army
05/06/2009 16:12

lol come on matt dont do a leigh centurions and announce it before it has actually been confirmed lol

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Leyther_Matt
06/06/2009 20:53

I was merely reporting what had been announced by Chorley!

LG-SA.co.uk

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