LEIGH Centurions coaches Norman Turley and Darren Abram have sensationally walked out of Hilton Park.

First team assistant Turley and Academy Under 19s boss Abram have both quit after a week of backroom turmoil at the Centurions.

Turley cut his six year association with his hometown club, upset at recent boardroom decisions. Abram quit earlier this week after he was overlooked when the club was considering a major change at first team level.

Leigh have moved swiftly to fill the vacancies with Aussie Phil Vievers appointed as joint first grade assistant and Under 21s coach.

Turley told the Journal: "I've not been happy with some of the decisions that have been made in recent weeks and in light of that my conscience would not let me carry on.

"It's a been a huge wrench to leave Leigh which has been such a big part of my life for so long, but I could not continue under present circumstances.

"There's no way I wanted to leave, but in the end I felt I'd no option. I'd have been very uncomfortable just sitting back and taking the money and carrying on.

"I'd even have been prepared to stand aside and step down to coaching at a lower level, but that also became impossible."

"I'm very proud of what this club has achieved in the last few years and proud of my part in it. It's been a very special part of my life and the club will always be dear to my heart. The fans have always been great to me and I'd like to thank them for their support over the years."

Tommy Cunningham, Leigh's Chief Executive said in a statement: "Norman was out of contract at the end of the season and Paul Terzis decided he wanted new faces.

"Darren was offered the joint position of Paul's assistant and the U21's coach but declined to take up the offer. It is very sad to see them leave but we must plan ahead, and with the experience Phil Vievers can bring to Leigh, I am sure he will be a quality addition to Paul's backroom squad."

Vievers has gained Super League coaching experience with Huddersfield and most recently as Head Coach with Swinton Lions.

He says: "I am delighted to be here at Leigh and look forward to working with Paul and the players next season."

Abram's version of events differs from the official statement.

He says he was offered the senior coaching position at Leigh before Terzis agreed his new deal.

"I was interviewed and got the impression the job was mine. Twenty-four hours later the goalposts had moved. Paul was still number one but they then wanted me to combine the first team assistant's job and Under 21's coach because of budget restraints. I gave that some consideration, but because of the time commitment that would have needed, I felt I could not do both jobs to the best of my ability. I asked for the assistant's job alone, but that was rejected.

"It's been tough to walk away from a great bunch of players but it the whole thing was handled very badly."

The revolving door at Hilton Park hasn't been confined to the backroom staff with six senior players being released.

Paul Anderson and Chris Morley have both joined Oldham while Simon Knox is thought to be close to signing a deal with Salford. Mark McCully, Chris Irwin and Dave Ingram are still looking for new clubs.

However, Leigh have agreed new terms with Willie Swann and Simon Baldwin and are still in discussion with Dave Whittle, John Hamilton, Simon Svabic, John Duffy and Jon Roper.

Terzis says Leigh will be making some significant signings in the coming weeks as he builds a 22-man squad.

Leigh are already linked with full-back Gary Broadbent and prop Paul Southern, both out of contract at Salford, and Swinton's goal-kicking centre Mick Nanyn.