Leigh Centurions are delighted to confirm that Neil Jukes has been offered
and has accepted the role of Head Coach to replace Paul Rowley who resigned
his position on Thursday. Assistant coaches Paul Anderson and Simon
Finnigan will also continue in their roles at the Club working under Neil
Jukes's direction.

Neil, 39, came up through the Leigh Academy ranks and made his first-team
debut at loose forward against Swinton in January 1995, earning Heritage
Number 1084. He made a total of 32 appearances for the Club but sadly his
playing career was cut short by injury following a short spell at Rochdale
Hornets in 1998.

He then turned his attentions to coaching and built up a fine reputation in
the amateur ranks with Ince Rose Bridge, also coaching Lancashire. After
re-joining Leigh Centurions in 2009 he coached the Reserves team to Division
One League success.

Following Ian Millward's departure Neil became primarily involved with a
wide range of first-team duties, working alongside Paul Rowley and building
up the on and off-field team, playing a huge part in the recent successes
and earning respect throughout the Club.

Neil Jukes said: "It's a great honour to be invited to be Head Coach of
Leigh Centurions. I'd like to thank Paul for all his help and advice over
the duration we've spent working together. I owe him a lot and where I am
today is largely down to Paul's help and support.

"As a coach he has always been open and has believed and had confidence in
his staff. He's not one of those coaches who keeps things to himself and
doesn't pass things on. He aims to develop his staff, give them confidence
and put them in situations where they can progress in their roles.

"We have worked closely together over the years and though we won't now see
one another on a day to day basis we will remain good friends."

Reflecting on the appointment Neil added: "Thursday was a strange day and a
sad day. I enjoyed what we had together, Paul and me and our relationship.
But such is life- there is an opportunity there for me and I will never be
as equipped as I am now to be a Head Coach.

"I know the culture we are trying to set and I want the players to continue
to be honest, hard working and with a good attitude who want to be involved.
If you haven't got that in a team it's a hollow experience. I understand
what kind of ingredients we need in our team and the reaction of the players
has been superb. The three captains came to see me and assured me they are
right behind me and also Ando and Finny.

"On Friday we played Huddersfield Giants in an opposed game and it was as
good a session as we have had all year. It was a good way to finish the
week. The players had trained hard and honestly and they showed that on the
field."

Leigh Centurions Owner Derek Beaumont said: "This is not a difficult
appointment or one that needed much consideration, if any at all. As
everybody knows I have a huge amount of respect for Rolls and value his
opinion. In his letter to the Board he suggested that Neil should be
promoted as his predecessor stating he was more than capable to coach the
team.

"The players themselves made contact with me, stating they believed Neil was
the man for the job. Nothing is broken in terms of the Club's structures,
schedules, facilities and styles of play so I was keen to ensure that wasn't
disrupted. I have witnessed first-hand how involved Jukesy is with the team
over the past two years and paid more attention to him by virtue of Rolls
stating how good he was and how not many people realise how important Jukesy
is to what we do.

"He also has a good background in business as a manager responsible for a
large workforce so has good managerial skills and with that good discipline
and procedures."

Mr Beaumont continued: "I have always got on really well with him and he
communicates well with me at ease so it is just a natural progression. He
was involved in the creation of this team with Rolls many years ago and has
the respect of those players as well as the respect of the senior players in
the Club.

"We had a very easy conversation and have a good understanding of what is
expected. It goes without saying that there is a lot of pressure associated
with the position, more so this year with the investment in the squad and
the clear intention to achieve Super League. Jukesy is more than happy to
absorb that and he understands and accepts the challenge on a results-driven
basis.

"I firmly believe he has the credentials and ability to achieve what we set
out to achieve at the beginning and he knows that if we feel he needs
support down the line we can look to add that if necessary.

"One thing he will do is give 110percent, leaving no stone unturned to make
this role work for himself and grasp the opportunity with both hands."



Addressing the events of the past few days Mr Beaumont added: "While we
never advertised for a replacement for Rolls, given our intentions to
continue with what is already working I was encouraged by the number and
quality of personnel that made their interest known.

"It was certainly indicative as to how far the Club has come to attract the
attention it did in that respect and I apologise for giving my phone a break
during the period and not answering calls, emails and texts as it wasn't
really possible to do so until I had sorted everything that was needed.

"I will work through them and thank people for their interest. However, I
will not comment publicly on people who expressed an interest as it would be
inappropriate to do so. Whilst I was shocked by Paul's decision and Thursday
was a very difficult day for the Club I like to take a positive outlook.

"I have said before I am a great believer in the power of now dealing with
what is happening now what you can control going forward. That is no
disrespect to Paul but I can't control that so I have to be positive and
look ahead.

"What is interesting, as communicated to me by one of the boys, is this is
the first bit of adversity the group has faced as a whole, being a new group
and in many ways that can galvanise the group as we pull together and use it
to make us stronger.

"The boys were naturally shocked and disappointed but they are professional
sportsmen and want to now support Neil in his new role and demonstrate to
all that they are still a quality rugby team. That is done on the field and
I am sure all our loyal fans will show Neil their support in his appointment
and wish him well in his new found role. I am certain Rolls will also do the
same."

Jeez, he’s been reading too many Mills & Boon's.

Anyhow – good luck to the lad & the club.

Quick decision was needed so the team can move on. Don't know much about Jukesy but seems to have the backing of the team, Rowls and Derek so that's good enough for me. Good luck Neil.

Congrats to Jukesy. Think in terms of continuity this is definitely the right decision. Jukesy has built this team up over the last few years alongside Rowley and knows exactly where we are up to.

Glad the club has acted quickly, should keep things on track and the playing staff all know where they stand.

It has been a dramatic few days but now it is only a week to go until the season opener. Be nice to focus on some actual rugby for a change. Bring on Batley, see you all at Mount Pleasant on Sunday

I voted for Neil....the sensible choice right now. Good luck Jukesy !!!

Much better than a stranger.

Without doubt the correct appointment. Good luck neil.

Correct decision. Gives us continuity which is very good both as everyone was so pleased with what Paul was doing and as so close to the start of the season after all the preseason the last thing you want is big changes in the ideologies of the head coach. Plus he has the benefit that he knows the players both their individual skills and more importantly what individual players will require from him as head coach. Plus hopefully he'll be able to have a chat with Rowley and get his advice if he should ever need it.

Correct decision, Well done to the club.

Can we derive from this "appointment" that Rowley will be consulting from a far and that they may even intend to bring him back on board, if and when the "personal" issues are resolved?

Possibly. Certainly there is nothing in the comments since Paul left from either Derek, Rowley or Jukesy that speaks of any falling out. Quite the opposite, it seems than things are still quite tight and friendly between Rowley and those still at the club.

Maybe "personal reasons" are just that. If the people directly involved are happy to stay friends and move on then us fans should respect that and do the same.

The king is dead, long live the king etc.

Derek found himself a "Yes man". Wonder if it is in his contract that doesn't get to pick the team?