Leigh Leopards are pleased to confirm the appointment of Stuart Littler as head coach of the Reserves side for the 2024 season.

Littler, 45 next month, has extensive coaching experience since completing an outstanding 19-year playing career. He was appointed assistant and then head coach to Swinton Lions, then head coach at Oldham combining a similar role with the Ireland international team.

Littler will form an impressive coaching link up with Kieron Purtill whose role as Head of Youth has been vital in establishing a clear pathway for the development of aspiring players.

Kieron Purtill is delighted with the appointment. He said: “I am really pleased to get Stuart into the club. He is a very experienced coach with a lot of experience at Championship and international level.

“Stuart has a proven track record of developing players from the community game and taking them into the Championship with some going on to Super League.

“He’s a former Leigh player, had an outstanding playing career and now coaches at Leigh Miners and is a local school teacher. So the links he has within our community are wide ranging and highly significant.

“Stuart has a wealth of experience in the game and his man management skills are excellent. He will also bring a lot of energy into the role. The position of reserve team coach is an important one within the club structure and in recruiting Stuart we have significantly strengthened our backroom staff.”

Stuart Littler said: “I’m excited to be back at Leigh and at the prospect of where we can go with this. I’d like to thank everyone for the opportunity I’ve been given to help the club, which is in my heart.

“There’s loads of scope to develop young players at Leigh. The potential is there which I’ve seen from coaching my lads at Leigh Miners and hopefully I can pass on my experience and guidance. It’s another step forwards towards a full pathway that other clubs have had for years which is what we want as it makes Leigh stronger.

“Kieron has done most of the recruitment for the squad and they are an honest, committed, and driven group. There are a few lads in there that maybe feel they missed their opportunity in the past and now we can nurture that, so everyone grows together.

“As a coach you aim to improve people and systems and all the lads have the desire. I can promise the team will be honest, hardworking and humble and will adapt to the challenges that we face during the season. It’s the strength of the group that takes you places.”

As a strong running, forceful and creative centre with a fine defensive game, Littler enjoyed a long and successful playing career, chalking up 520 senior appearances and scoring 187 tries. He earned Leigh Heritage Number HN#1342, scoring 32 tries in 101 games between 2011 and 2014 for his hometown club and called time on his playing career after two seasons with Swinton.

After making his professional debut for Salford in 1998, he went on to make 329 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 113 tries. He also won 21 international caps for Ireland between 2004-2016 before becoming their head coach between 2018-2022. 

Leopards TV subscribers can see Stuart’s return interview here.