The recently appointed Australian was given the first big boost of his second stint at the club, when the RFL confirmed that the Leigh club will still be playing Cooperative Championship Rugby next season.
The news was confirmed late last week after the RFL sanctioned Gateshead's drop down into Championship One following their financial problems, winding up order, administration and formation of a new club.
There had been discussion about the possibility of the higher placed Championship running with 10 teams instead of the 11 of the previous season, but it was decided that it would be better to run with the higher number and that gave Leigh their reprieve.
It was terrific news for the Leigh Chairman, Arthur Thomas, and the Board and of course the new coach, Millward. But the affable Aussie is now calling on the fans to give the club their support and help boost the coffers so that the club can reinvest in more quality players.
"The fans hold the key to how well we can do and what we can ultimately achieve," said Millward, "The present salary cap to revenue ratio is such that we are not presently in the position to sign any more players. That means we will have to run with the 22 man squad we have got.
''That may prove a couple of players lighter than we could do with, but if we can get more fans through the turnstiles and onto the terraces, then we can reinvest that additional revenue into more quality players.
"There are plenty of players who would like to join us, but the quality we want does cost money, and the only way we can increase that availability is either through sponsorship or increased revenue through the turnstiles or even the sale of season tickets and in this respect, the fans can be our biggest asset!.
"In the meantime we shall be looking for players who want the opportunity to prove themselves and to look for youngsters of quality with a view to them coming through to the first team over the next couple of seasons.
"In that respect we have signed two top quality youngsters from Leigh Miners, in Jonathan Powell and Anthony Nicholson, and we have made an offer to Leigh East second row Sam Hopkins. All three were very impressive when I watched them in Australia with BARLA last year and they have done really well with their clubs too."
Leigh are back in full training, and already Millward is impressed by what he has seen.
"Its only the first week but they have shown good attitude, god energy, good enthusiasm and have been keen to get on with what we have to do.
"The fact that we are in the Championship has certainly given everyone a lift. But we have to be realistic here. Leigh finished third from bottom and that was a true reception of where they were at last year, and where we are at now.
"But the reality is that we have a lot of hard work to do. They have a tough schedule and they will need to get on with it.
"We have had a lucky escape and need to make the most of it."
The fans can meet Ian Millward at the Leigh Sports Village on December 2.