Neil Turley

Neil Jerome Turley is a retired professional rugby league player who played for Leigh Centurions.^[1][2]

Career start

Neil started his career as a junior with Wigan, coming through their Academy set-up. As an Academy player he starred in the 1998 Academy Grand Final for Wigan in their defeat to the Leeds Rhinos, who boasted such current international stars as Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow.^{citation required}

His senior career was unlikely to prosper at Wigan as Turley played understudy to Great Britain full back Kris Radlinski. Turley took the offer in 2000 to join Second Division side Leigh Centurions.^[3] Neil's father, Norman Turley, was the Centurions' assistant coach. Making his début in a friendly game against Australia's South Sydney Rabbitohs in late 2000, Neil showed great promise.^[4]

Debut season

His début season as a senior player in 2001 saw Turley smash the world record for tries by a full back, ending the season with 55.^[5] He also gained Representative Honours, starring for Lancashire as the only player from a non-Super League club to play in the Origin series against rivals Yorkshire. His début season featured a surprising Challenge Cup victory over Super League neighbours Salford City Reds and saw Leigh finish nine points clear at the top of the Northern Ford Premiership and claim the short-lived Trans-Pennine Cup. Turley was the target of the Warrington Wolves who tabled an offer to the Leigh club but Turley turned it down. However, the fantastic year was marred as defeat in the play off semi-finals (to Oldham Roughyeds) eventually saw Widnes go on to win the Grand Final and a place in Super League.

Records

Turley broke many club records including goals in a season and points in a season.^[6][7] Yet the ultimate prize, Grand Final success, eluded the Centurions. In 2002 and 2003, the relegated Super League sides, Huddersfield Giants and Salford City Reds remained fully professional teams. Thus, their full time fitness and coaching led to defeat in successive Grand Finals for Leigh. When Halifax were relegated to play in the 2004 National League competition, their financial troubles meant they were unable to retain a full-time team and struggled, paving the way for Leigh to go about achieving their dream. Leigh defeated Whitehaven 32-16 after over-time to finally attain Super League status for the 2005 season.^{citation required}

Retirement

Neil Turley announced his retirement in April 2006, due to a serious recurring back injury.^[8]

References

1. ^ http://www.leighreporter.co.uk/sport/leigh-centurions/all_over_for_neil_1_680143, The Leigh Reporter, All over for Neil, April 7, 2006, Retrieved September 15, 2010.
2. ^ http://www.leighcenturions.com/page.php?id=585, Leigh Centurions, Club History Landmarks - Recent History, 2003, Retrieved September 15, 2010.
3. ^ http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/06/03/30/manual_085136.html, Sporting Life, TURLEY QUITS DUE TO INJURY, Retrieved September 15, 2010.
4. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/1124560.stm, BBC Sport, Rugby League, Leigh Centurions v Workington Town, January 18, 2001, Retrieved September 15, 2010.
5. ^ http://www.leighreporter.co.uk/sport/leigh-centurions/all_over_for_neil_1_680143, The Leigh Reporter, All over for Neil, April 7, 2006, Retrieved September 15, 2010.
6. ^ http://www.napit.co.uk/viewus/infobank/rugby/rugbyleaguediv1/leigh.php, napit, Leigh Centurions RLFC All Time Records, Retrieved September 15, 2010.
7. ^ http://www.leighcenturions.com/page.php?id=585, Leigh Centurions, Club History Landmarks - Recent History, 2003, Retrieved September 15, 2010.
8. ^ http://www.leighreporter.co.uk/sport/leigh-centurions/all_over_for_neil_1_680143, The Leigh Reporter, All over for Neil, April 7, 2006, Retrieved September 15, 2010.

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