LEIGH have reaped compensation for missing out on the Northern Ford Premiership Grand Final.

Coach Ian Millward (pictured) and star full-back Stuart Donlan both scooped major awards at Monday's inaugural NFP Awards Dinner at Widnes.

Millward, who in just 11 months has steered the club from bottom to a top four berth, was a clear winner of the Coach of the Year award.

Donlan, just turned 21, capped an outstanding season that earmarked him as probably the best full-back outside Super League, was chosen as Young Player of the Year.

Two other Leigh stars were also honoured. Prop Tim Street and loose-forward Jamie Kennedy were both named in the NFP All Stars team - a particularly fitting finale for Kennedy who returns to his native Australia next Tuesday.

Millward beat off the challenge of Paul Charlton (Barrow) and Peter Roe (Featherstone) to lift the unique cut glass trophy.

The Hilton Park boss was quick to point out he was accepting the trophy on behalf of the players and the club.

"While it gives me great personal satisfaction to be named top coach, let's not lose sight of the fact that it's my players who have put me in this position," he said.

"It's the players who have lifted this club from the basement to the penthouse. I may have been the guiding hand, but it's the squad that's worked hard to achieve what they have."

Donlan was voted Young Player of the Year ahead of York's Jamie Ben and Featherstone's Jamie Rooney.

He said: "This is a proud day for the Leigh club and is an indication of how far we've come as a team in 12 months. Next year we have to go on and try to finish the job and get into Super League."

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