Special report by Mike Hulme

NEXT season could be Leigh Centurions big year.

With a new head coach, chief executive and director of football in place, the Centurions feel better equipped than ever to push ahead for a Super League place.

Leigh's backroom structure is now finalised and the job of assembling a squad for next season is well underway.

New head coach Darren Abram is already making his mark and has promised he will only recruit players who would be proud to put on the cherry and white shirt.

"I'm certain that's the way to go," he said. "Salary cap restrictions mean that we have to be even more prudent with our money. My main priority is to find a group of players who want to play for the club and want to take it forward."

Abram's appointment was confirmed on Sunday afternoon after he had severed his ties with Chorley Lynx and just a fortnight after being named National League Two Coach of the Year.

Abram's role will be on a part-time basis. He will be assisted by Tommy Martyn and Norman Turley with Alex Murphy staying on as director of football. Leigh have also confirmed that Allan Rowley will be retained as chief executive.

The Centurions have been without a head coach since the departure of Paul Terzis five weeks ago. It is Abram's second coaching spell at the club, having successfully taken charge of the Centurions' Academy teams for almost three years before moving to Chorley.

Abram was almost given the head coach role a year ago before the Centurions decided to stick with Terzis.

Great honour

"It's a great honour for me to be asked back as head coach," says the 36-year-old former Warrington, Rochdale and Oldham centre.

"I'm delighted to get the opportunity to bring success, not only to the club but also to the town and the fantastic fans we have here. I know what the expectations are for this sleeping giant and I feel very confident that when we get the right players playing for Leigh we can achieve great success.

"I'm lucky to have a great board of directors who have shown tremendous faith in me by also negotiating a Super League contract with me for 2005 and 2006 should be reach our goal."

Abram leaves on Saturday for a pre-booked family holiday but is confident to hand all contract and recruitment negotiations to Murphy and his backroom staff.

"When I get back from holiday I fully expect to be able to pick and chose from a list of players who want to play for this club," he adds.

Executive Director Steve Blakeley says: "Darren is a promising young British coach who we believe will push the club to achieve success.

A further addition to the team is the appointment of Allan Rowley as full time chief executive.

Club Director, Derek Beaumont says: "Following Allan's help as acting chief executive in the lead up to the Grand Final, we have agreed that he should extend that position to further enhance the clubs ambition as not only being successful on the field but also having the right team behind the scenes."

He added: "This year promises to be very positive, unlike last season when the season was upon us when we took over the club. This year we have planned well for the 2004 season. We are passionate about Leigh and so are our fans, we now have the right coach, the right backroom staff, and Darren will be given our full support to make sure we have players playing with pride when they wear the Leigh shirt. We have worked very hard behind the scenes over the last 12 months, and the dividends will be seen in the next 12 months."