JUST over 12 months ago less than 800 spectators saw Josh Charnley make a try-scoring debut for the then Leigh Centurions.
Only five minutes had gone in the searing heat of Derwent Park when Charners set the visitors on their way to a club record 66-0 away win at Workington.
It’s around 326 miles from Workington to Wembley but a journey Leigh’s born-again winger never started to contemplate.
He didn’t even feature in his new team’s Championship play-off final win over Batley three months later.
Now, he’s neck and neck with Catalans’ Tom Johnstone for Super League’s top try scorer and promoted by his coach Adrian Lam for a future England recall.
“I thought all the big games were finished for me,” says the 32-year-old, three times Betfred Challenge Cup Final winner.
“I was going to hang up my boots and I didn’t think I would be in this position for a minute. So, I am very grateful and thankful.”
The fallout from the end of his Warrington Wolves career is well documented. But The Wire’s loss has certainly been Leigh’s gain as Charnley’s finishing skills have been almost a weekly occurrence this season.
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At one stage he touched down in nine successive games before drawing a rare blank in the 24-22 victory at Salford last month.
“I wish I was on a try bonus,” joked the doting dad of two, keen and talented angler but frustrated novice golfer.
“I am not too bothered about finishing top try scorer. And I didn’t set myself a target at the start of the season.
“It’s just my job to finish and do the ugly stuff out of yardage,” added Charnley, also vying with Johnstone for top metre maker in the end-of-season awards.
Leigh’s player-of-the-season contender was a teenage centre and virtually tattoo free when he made a handful of appearances for Leopards’ Wembley opponents.
But the 19-year-old certainly left his mark on the Robins’ faithful, scoring five tries in five games, including a derby stunner against Hull FC, before a recall by his parent club Wigan.
Thirteen years on, he’s every chance of overtaking Danny McGuire’s record total of 247 Super League touchdowns.
“I enjoyed my time there (at Rovers) even though I wasn’t there long. They are an unpredictable team but with some special players," he said.
“But we also have a special group of lads at Leigh. So, it should be an exciting final and hopefully we can create some history.”
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