IAN MILLWARD has pledged his immediate future to Leigh and will eagerly lead the club into the new millennium.

He revealed he has had offers from Super League clubs but has decided to stay at Hilton Park for at least another season.

"The decision of Mick Higgins to stand down as chief executive and chairman means the club is starting a new era and I want to remain a part of it," he told LISA members.

"Super League clubs showed an interest in me last season but I felt it was morally wrong to leave Leigh in the middle of my first season.

"How would that have left my credibility? I spoke to my family and they wanted me to stay.

"The club's situation has changed in the past few weeks but I feel I need to stay and now support Chris Healey and help repay the faith he has put in me. So I'm here for at least another year.

"I feel confident of the way things are going at Leigh and I would like to be around to build on the success we started last season."

Acting chief executive Healey praised departing boss Higgins. "But for Mick Higgins there wouldn't be a rugby club in Leigh," he said.

"It was Mick Higgins who, in the initial stages, convinced me to throw my cap into the ring when we were considering moving Horwich RMI to Hilton Park.

"Very few people really know just how much he has done to keep professional rugby alive in the town.

"The biggest problem the club faces at the moment is how we cope with the shortfall of £170,000 from RL central funds.

"I've been very candid with Ian (Millward) and he is fully aware of the financial situation. It's not going to be impossible to pull round, but it's going to be difficult.

"My role is to make sure we generate enough cash to make sure we can do all the things we need to do. Our main priority is to maintain the existing squad and then try to increase our strength in depth."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.