We have had some really good full backs in my time waching Leigh. Each had his own individual qualities which are incomparable as they were outstanding in their particular team/era. I have been priviliged to have seen the likes of Eckersley, Hogan, C. Johnson and Turley play for my home team club. Before that Ledgard was a legend in my dad's eyes. Whether the debate be on points records, try saving tackles or general full back play they are part of Leigh history and should all be acknowledged as great players for Leigh in that position at the time that they played.

I think it also depends what you want from your fullback.

Look at Gary Broadbent, now he is a player that I would be very pleased to have at Leigh and he's good at what he does, a positional defensive fullback, brave as a lion and will run and tackle all day.

Someone like Nick Youngquest up at Gateshead tracks the ball while at the other end of the spectrum Australia currently has Billy Slater, who I reckon is a superb player.

Turley had the support genius that RL fans saw for many years from Sean Edwards, that's a natural skill, timing. Perhaps he wasn't the best defender but when scoring 300 points a season did he need to be? Despite that he did prevent tries, had sound positioning on kicks, he was creative too. I'd pay to get him cloned. He is the nearest thing I saw to John Woods.

It was his support play that set him apart for me..9 times out of 10 on someones shoulder just there to collect the ball at the right moment with some forward momentum- which means you have to have some pace and also some vision as well. I expected him to score a try virtually every time he got the ball.

No prizes for saying we were sadly lacking that this year, and since he retired to be fair. Parkys comments about the variety of full-backs is very valid...there can't have been many more prolific try scorers from that position than Turley - certainly got bums on seats and then out of their seats..

Sorry he wasn't

Fully agree with post

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Nobody can dispute those stats what a player...Blimey he scored more points in a season than this years team did

I can understand people saying it depends what you want from your fullback and that players such as Chris Johnson etc were all very good for Leigh etc. I loved watching the likes of Chris Johnson and his tackling was a joy to watch. However apart from his tackling and the same goes for Topping etc there was not one aspect of his game that was superior to Turley for me. Above all this, Turley was just pure class, a magic man, a very special player. He had the ability that it is hard to define that all special players have, to rise to the occasion when the pressure is on and their team needs them. Unfortunately, Chris Johnson etc did not have this 'je ne sais quoi' or should I say class. The pressure got to him and skills he normally found easy sometimes- not usually- deserted him, just like the poor lad Paterson yesterday. Harry Pinner was a better ball player and passer than Hanley but I think we all know who was the better loose forward by a distance. Hogan, Eckersley etc were all fine players IMO and it is right to acknowledge that different fullbacks have different styles and skills etc, but in thits case there is only one player who shines out like a beacon for Leigh in the last 20 years and is undoubtedly the most talented player apart from Woods that the club has had the pleasure of in the modern era. I feel extremely lucky to have seen such a special player play for Leigh. Toppiing etc were good, but not in the same class, IMO. One thing that did surprise and delight me, was that in his most proliific seasons, he scored more points on his own, than several teams top six teams did in this league, in 2008, including the likes of Widnes. Just imagine if we could have added his 400 point plus hauls to our totals this season and just imagine if he had actually been the regular kicker for Leigh in his debut season. The mind boggles as to the points he would have scored. What a player and what a privilege.

thanks for that Norman! (I agree 100% by the way...)

Remember the anti turley mob well...what is it and this club were a local lad comes through and he gets all the abuse

Best one was stood on the tommy sale terrace and Turley collects a high ball near is posts...goon shouts come on turley do something....90 metres later he scores....goon goes quiet

Outstanding talent who was a joy to watch...as for not being able to tackle I can't remember him ducking out of challenges..so much so that it ended his career

Take a look at Gene's try in the GF versus the Giants in 2002. One of the softest attempts at a tackle I have ever seen.

You'll have to post the video....plus would you stop gene in full flow when getting wacked in a final

You could be talking about me there. In the wrong context though. We were playing very bad at the time and Neil was walking around with his head down and I shouted at the top of my voice " cum on Turley get your bloody head up, cum on the rest of yer. Your better than this crap". Neil lifted his head on hearing this and made an attempt to play better even though we lost. No doubting that Neil was a fantastic player for our club that someday will be regarded in the same light as Woody and the others.

OOPS Correct.

very good player the player all haven fans loved to hate which to me shows how good he was, good off the feild also always came into the havenbar for a crack and took loads of banter and laughed it all off

great player