New Leigh deal for Mort
Full-back Ian Mort has signed a new one-year deal at Leigh with the option for a second year under new boss Ian Millward.
Mort has scored 11 tries and 70 goals this season, playing 21 of Leigh’s 24 games and has pinpointed the arrival of Millward as a key reason for him staying at Leigh Sports Village.
Mort said: “We had a good chat and he said that he’d watched a few of the DVDs, that he’d heard a little bit about me and he asked what I was doing next year and hoped I was going to stay. We spoke figures but it wasn’t really about the money, it was just a case of being able to work under Ian.
“I think he’s won every trophy there is to win in England and I think he’s coached some of the best players in Australia; not only that, he’s coached two of the best fullbacks in this country in Kris Radlinski and Paul Wellens. If you are not going to learn anything off Ian Millward then you are not going to learn anything off any coach in the game.
“It gives me a target where I’ve got to impress and I’ve got to improve to get a new contract and that’s the way I like it. It keeps me on my toes. It will be a totally different team next year. Hopefully I can carry on learning from Stuart Donlan and learning a lot from Basil and build a spot for me. It’s an exciting time.”
Incoming head coach Millward, who will re-join the club for the 2010 season, has already snapped up Robbie Paul and Ricky Bibey for next season.
He said: “Ian has potential and also a reputation for good attitude in regard to his preparation. His next phase in development is to to improve his game and become a consistent and regular performer for Leigh in season 2010 and I look forward to channelling the enthusiasm he has shown and being part of his development.”
Leigh, however, find themselves in a relegation struggle which if they don’t get themselves out of, could spell disaster for the club. Defeat at Gateshead yesterday leaves the Centurions nervously preparing for their final two games – both at home against Halifax and Whitehaven.