Millward denied UK Visa : Tue Jun 30, 2009 1:09 pm
In anticipation...
The Leigh Centurions are disappointed to announce that their prospective overseas signing for the season, Ian Millward, will now not be joining the club, despite receiving confirmation from Australia last week that all was well.
Every effort has been made by the club and the coach himself to make it possible for him to obtain the necessary clearance documentation from the United Kingdom Border Control Agency, and at all times we have been acting on the advice of The Rugby Football League but despite being led to believe that everything connected with our application was correct and that granting of a visa was imminent, we were still declined when the final decision came through.
It is our belief that Ian Millward would have made a significant impact not only with Leigh Centurions, where a coach of his standing and obvious ability would have provided much needed attacking options, but also to the competition and its supporters, as he is a real crowd pleaser.
On a personal level, we know that Ian and his young family were looking forward with anticipation to coming to the UK and experiencing a different way of life. Hopefully with discussions ongoing for next season we can finally obtain him a visa in good time, and we may yet see him in the colours of Leigh Centurions.
Continuing efforts are being made to identify coaches of sufficient quality, and bring them to the club to fill the void left by Ian's absence, and strengthen the team to help them attain a good play off position, and hopefully a Grand Final appearance.
Every effort has been made by the club and the coach himself to make it possible for him to obtain the necessary clearance documentation from the United Kingdom Border Control Agency, and at all times we have been acting on the advice of The Rugby Football League but despite being led to believe that everything connected with our application was correct and that granting of a visa was imminent, we were still declined when the final decision came through.
It is our belief that Ian Millward would have made a significant impact not only with Leigh Centurions, where a coach of his standing and obvious ability would have provided much needed attacking options, but also to the competition and its supporters, as he is a real crowd pleaser.
On a personal level, we know that Ian and his young family were looking forward with anticipation to coming to the UK and experiencing a different way of life. Hopefully with discussions ongoing for next season we can finally obtain him a visa in good time, and we may yet see him in the colours of Leigh Centurions.
Continuing efforts are being made to identify coaches of sufficient quality, and bring them to the club to fill the void left by Ian's absence, and strengthen the team to help them attain a good play off position, and hopefully a Grand Final appearance.
