RECOGNITION of Leigh's transformation from easybeats to one of the best teams outside Super League is likely to come in a fortnight.

Coach Ian Millward and star players Tim Street and Stuart Donlan are in line for top honours at the first Northern Ford Premiership awards night at Widnes on September 20.

Aussie boss Millward, who has helped steer Leigh from obscurity to Grand Final contenders in a matter of months, is the hot tip to take the Coach of the Year award.

But he is likely to face stiff opposition from Dewsbury's Neil Kelly, David Plange (Hunslet), Colin Whitfield (Widnes) and Featherstone's Peter Roe.

Prop Street, who has played in all Leigh's 32 games this season, is nominated for the Player of the Year award alongside Widnes' Kiwi half-back Paul Mansson, Hunslet's Richard Pachniuk and Barrow's Darren Holt.

One player who has come on leaps and bounds under Millward's guidance is 21-year-old full-back Donlan who is in the running for Young Player of the Year.

He will be rivalled by Rochdale's Danny Sculthorpe, York pair Darren Callaghan and Jamie Benn and Featherstone half-back Jamie Rooney.

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