LEIGH Centurions now need a new chief executive as well as a chairman.

Allan Rowley has announced he quit the post on Friday, a little more than a week after chairman and major benefactor Arthur Thomas stepped down.

Rowley said he regretted the move and explained that he had been seconded to the chief executive post as an employee of Thomas’ business, Concrete TS Ltd, which has ceased trading.

“As Concrete TS was my employer and I was seconded to Leigh Centurions it has left the club short of a chief exexutive,“ said Rowley.

“Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond the control of former chairman Arthur Thomas his businesses Concrete TS Ltd and AWT Painters ceased to trade and I along with other employees, who include both his sons Darren and Andrew, became redundant.

“My initial thoughts go out to Arthur and his wife Sylvia who started the company 30 odd years ago and it was a sad day last Friday when Arthur met everyone personally to explain the situation.”

Rowley now faces uncertain days ahead as he seeks fresh employment.

“At this moment in time I do not know what the future holds for me personally as I will be job hunting over the next few weeks,” he said.

“But I want to reiterate what Arthur said last week that the club is moving forward on and off the field and there has never been a better time to invest in the club and not only continue the momentum that we have created but to take it to another level.

“In the next few weeks there will be some exciting announcements for the club with a link-up with Wigan and Leigh College and the Centurions running an under 18s team.

“And there will be the launch of a junior supporters club backed by a national supermarket chain.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported the club during my time and also supported me personally on the way.

“I will continue to support the club in any way I can and wish the club all the success it truly deserves."