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TEAM SCORES and RACE RESULTS: VIKING INVITATIONAL - Viking Inv JV Girls... macontracks.org |
Widnes Vikings RLFC is a professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They play in the Co-Operative Championship, which is the second tier of European Rugby League. Widnes was one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895, making them one of the world's first rugby league teams. Their traditional nickname is 'The Chemics' after the main industry in Widnes, but the club also use their more modern nickname in 'The Vikings'. They have a strong rivalry with Warrington and resisted the idea of merger with their rivals at the beginning of Superleague in 1995. Before Super League they were one of the strongest teams in British rugby league and they were dubbed "Cup Kings" after going to Wembley nearly every year in the late 1970s and early 1980s. However after a brief spell in Superleague (2002-2005), it was announced on 9 October 2007 that, following the club's defeat to Castleford in the Co-Operative National League 1 Grand final, the club would go into administration.[2] This had been the result of a club which had been poorly run for several years. However, on 1 November 2007 the club was purchased by Steve O'Connor, a local businessman [3], who had just sold his business to the Stobart Group. He has invested a substantial amount of money into his home town club.
[edit] History[edit] Early yearsThe Farnworth & Appleton Cricket Club was formed in 1871 and four years later the members decided to embrace the burgeoning football code. At their fourth annual evening party in the Drill Hall, Widnes, in November 1875, club Chairman Henry Lea "gave a short account of the club since it commenced about four years ago, and indicated that they had now started a football club in connexion (sic) with it, and hoped all would join". The first known game for the new Farnworth and Appleton FC was in Widnes in January 1876 played under rugby rules against Northwich Victoria. A few weeks later a return match was played at Drill Field Northwich under soccer rules. Vics won both games. These are the only two known fixtures in that truncated first season. By May 1876 the club had changed its name to Widnes FC and the cricket side of the organsiation had disbanded, presumably to concentrate on football activities. By the late 1870s the club was being referred to as "The Chemicals" - subsequently shortened to 'The Chemics'. The first ground was on Albert Road behind what is now The Premier Wetherspoons pub and a short spell followed in the Simms Cross area. From around 1878–84 the club were based at the junction of Millfield/Peelhouse Lane, apart from season 1880/81 when they played on the Widnes Cricket Club ground at Lowerhouse Lane. From 1884-95 they rented a field at Lowerhouse Lane before moving to their third separate site on that road in October 1895. The first ever game at what later became Naughton Park was against Liversedge on Saturday 12 October, 1895. In 1895, Widnes were founder members of the Northern Union which broke away from the Rugby Football Union. Their first game was an away fixture against Runcorn which they lost 15-4. During the early years, the club often had to sell players to balance the books. The strength of junior rugby league in the area meant the club had a steady stream of new players to offset any losses. In 1902, the Lancashire and Yorkshire leagues were combined to form a second division, Widnes was added to the first division. In 1914, Arthur 'Chick' Johnson was capped for the Lions (captained by Harold Wagstaff) in the famous Rorke's Drift test, a match in which they overcame all the odds, and injuries to beat Australia with a depleted side of 10 against 13. He scored an extraordinary try to win the game, dribbling the ball from inside his own half. The club's first ever success came when they won the Lancashire League trophy in the 1919/20 season. However, the twenties saw the club almost go to the wall. Local rivals Warrington donated their share of the traditional Easter and Christmas derby matches to keep Widnes afloat in 1927/28. In 1930, Widnes with 12 local-born players defied the odds to beat St Helens 10-3 to bring home the Challenge Cup.[1] The Kingsway housing scheme threatened the loss of Widnes' ground. After several years of fund-raising during the great depression, £3,250 was raised to save the ground. This came with a stipulation that the ground could be sold only to the local council at the original price. The newly named Naughton Park was opened in 1932. A major boost for the club was Widnes' first ever trip to the Challenge Cup final, staged at Wembley. Their opponents were St. Helens, Saints scored after 6 minutes to take a 3-0 lead, but Widnes hit back with a penalty try, a further try and a penalty to take a 10-3 half-time lead. A scoreless second half meant Widnes had won the cup. Widnes became the first club to make two trips to Wembley, with a loss to Hunslet in the 1934 cup final. In 1935/36, the team came close to being rugby league champions. Having finished third in the table, Widnes beat Liverpool 10-9 but lost to Hull, in the championship final. A third trip to Wembley came in 1937, with an 18-5 win over Keighley. The final was dubbed "McCue's Match" as the halfback played an important part in the win. Widnes dropped out of the wartime Lancashire league in 1940/41 and did not return to league competition until 1945/46. [edit] Post warTommy McCue led the club to its first ever Lancashire Cup win, with a 7-3 victory against Wigan in 1945. Back at Wembley in 1950, the team was beaten 19-0 by Warrington. During this period, the club reverted to selling its players to richer teams. Local man Vince Karalius joined Widnes from St. Helens in 1962 and was appointed club captain. In his first season, Widnes finished third in the Championship, which equalled the club's best league placing. In 1962, the league was split into East and West of the Pennines; Widnes and Workington Town met at Central Park, Wigan, in the first final of the Western Division Championship on Saturday 10 November, 1962. With two minutes remaining, Lowdon dropped a goal to earn Workington a 9-9 draw. Later in the month Workington won the replay 10-0. The following season, saw him lead his team to Wembley, where Widnes were Challenge Cup winners after they defeated Hull KR 13-5. No team had ever played more games in reaching Wembley than Widnes in 1964. In the first round, two replays were necessary before beating Leigh. Liverpool City were beaten in the second round, then Widnes played Swinton in front of 19,000 at Naughton Park. A 5-5 draw meant another replay, which was a scoreless draw at Station Road. A second replay at Wigan was watched by 21,369 with Widnes winning 15-3. The semi-final against Castleford was drawn 7-7. 28,732 spectators watched the replay, which Widnes won. A Wembley crowd of 84,488 saw Widnes win the Challenge Cup for the third time with a 13-5 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers. This was the Chemics first trophy success in eighteen years. [edit] The Cup KingsThe 1970s saw the first really outstanding Widnes team. A host of young local players developed into the "Cup Kings", a golden age for the club. The first cup-final was a loss in the 1971/72 Lancashire Cup. The following two seasons, Widnes reached the finals of the BBC2 Floodlit Trophy. The first success came in the 1975 Lancashire Cup which Widnes won by beating Salford that season. They also won the 1975 Challenge Cup final 14-7 versus Warrington at Wembley. This was the first time in their history that Widnes had won two trophies in the same season. Widnes visited Wembley in the following two seasons, losing to St. Helens and then Leeds. However, this was made up for by victories in the Lancashire Cup and John Player Trophy. The season after this (1977/78) saw their first league championship. The team went through the season unbeaten at home in the league. There were also trips to the John Player and Premiership finals. Keith Elwell began his run of 242 consecutive appearances at Wembley in the 1977 RL Challenge Cup Final, including two as a substitute. He finished his run at Hull on 26 September, 1982. This record for consecutive appearances for one club stands to this day. Doug Laughton took over the job of team coach when Frank Myler retired from the position in 1978. The 1978/79 season saw no less than four cups come to Widnes - the BBC2 floodlit trophy, Lancashire Cup, Premiership and a win at Wembley over Wakefield Trinity in front of a crowd of 93,218. Widnes beat the Australian tourists in 1978. The 1979/80 season saw Widnes beat Bradford Northern in the Premiership final, but come second to them in the league and John Player Trophy. The Lancashire Cup was won for the fifth time in the 1970s. The 1980s started with a Wembley win over Hull Kingston Rovers in 1980/81. The season after this, Widnes again returned to Wembley, to face Hull. Widnes led 14-6 with less than 20 minutes to go, but the game finished 14-14 and Hull won the replay 18-9 at Elland Road, Leeds. Widnes kept their record of winning a cup every season by defeating Hull 23-8 in the Premiership final. The next season saw Hull again beaten by Widnes in the Premiership final. Vince Karalius returned to the club for a short spell in 1983/84 leading a strong Widnes side to the finals of the Lancashire Cup and John Player Trophy and another Wembley victory appearance 19-6 against Wigan. Doug Laughton returned to the club in January 1986 and began a series of signings of players from other league clubs and from rugby union. One such player was Martin Offiah, who in 1987/88 scored a club record 42 tries. The team went on to win the championship that season, clinching it with a 50 point win away over Hunslet. Widnes then beat St. Helens in the Premiership Final at Old Trafford, Manchester a game in which Alan Tait made his début. The 1988/89 season saw the club sign rugby union star Jonathan Davies from Llanelli for £225,000. Wigan were beaten in the Charity Shield but had their revenge in the Regal Trophy Final. The Championship came down to the last game of the season, a capacity crowd at Naughton Park saw Widnes beat Wigan 32-18 to win the title for the second year running. The Premiership was won again, with over 40,000 at Old Trafford to see Widnes beat Hull 18-10. The 1989/90 season saw Widnes play at Anfield, Liverpool beating Wigan 27-22. A trip to France to play Le Pontet saw Widnes chosen as the Northern Hemisphere representatives to meet Australia's Grand Final winners. Canberra took a 12-0 lead but were then swept aside as Widnes stormed home 30-18 to become the first official World Club Champions. However, financial problems riddled the club in the early 1990s. To balance the books, over 25 first team players were sold to other teams. This resulted in the club sinking to 12th in the division one table, avoiding relegation. [edit] Summer eraIn 1996, the first tier of British rugby league clubs played the inaugural Super League season and changed from a winter to a summer season.[4] When the RFL announced that a new 12-team Super League was to be formed a chaotic period ensued in which the club was out, then in, then out, then in merged with local rivals Warrington and then finally out again as they finished below the cut-off point of 10th in the existing top flight. The club adopted the name Widnes Vikings in 1996. Further player and coaching departures ensued and the club struggled in the new first division, the club's first ever finish in the relegation zone followed. They spent the next 5 years in the Northern Ford Premiership. Graeme West took over as coach after Doug Laughton's third stint, his reign lasted from May 1997 until August 1998. During this time, the playing arena was rebuilt and the old stands, terraces and facilities were demolished to be replaced with a state-of-the-art all-seater stadium. This was also renamed from Naughton Park to the Halton Community Stadium (it also went on to be called The AutoQuest Stadium, The Halton Stadium and The Stobart Stadium, Halton). In 1999 Widnes narrowly missed out on a place in the grand final. The 2000 season was one of transition with head coach Colin Whitfield being sacked and replaced by David Hulme being appointed as his successor. The record attendance for the newly rebuilt stadium was set at 6,644 for a Northern Ford Premiership game against Leigh on Boxing Day 2000. The Vikings finished off a poor season in 8th place in the NFP. They were finally promoted to Super League under coach Neil Kelly in 2001 beating Oldham 24-12 in the NFP Grand Final[2]. Their début season in Super League was in 2002, Superleague VII, and the Vikings surprised everyone by narrowly missing out on a play-off place, and finishing 7th. The following season saw them consolidate with a 9th place finish, but in 2004 they avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth, with Castleford's defeat to Wakefield Trinity on the final day of the season saving Widnes' fate. Frank Endacott then arrived at Widnes as coach in 2005, but they could not improve on their previous season's, and with 2 teams being relegated in 2005 (one extra team was relegated to allow for new French side Les Catalans Dragons), Widnes' job was made tougher. They were eventually relegated back down to the second tier of the English game (LHF National League 1). Since relegation, Widnes parted company with coach Frank Endacott and the majority of their under-achieving Super League squad. They had built a new squad in preparation for the 2006 season in National League 1 under coach Steve McCormack, who led Whitehaven to two consecutive NL1 Grand Finals. The club had also pulled off a major coup in securing the services of Australian full back David Peachey, who kept his word to join the club, despite its relegation. However, Peachey was sacked just a few months into the season by new chairman Stephen Vaughan in order to create fees and make room under the salary cap for players such as Dennis Moran. On the field Widnes had made the LHF National league grand final, but were beaten by Hull Kingston Rovers at Warrington's Halliwell Jones Stadium. Stephen Vaughan quit as chairman of Widnes Vikings and stepped down from the club's board of directors on the eve of their opening league game of the 2007 Co-operative National League season, which was broadcast live on Sky Sports[3]. This put the club into the media spotlight for sometime. However, Widnes then went on to win the 2007 Northern Rail Cup with a 54-6 victory over Whitehaven in the final in Blackpool's Bloomfield Road stadium on 15 July 2007 in front of a crowd of 8,326.[4]. Widnes also then went on to the National League 1 grand final, as they had done the year before. They were to play against Castleford at Headingley. Unfortunately though Widnes were defeated, and Castleford were promoted. After this game Widnes had no option but to put themselves into voluntary administration. It was announced on the 2nd November 2007 that Widnes Vikings RLFC would come out of administration under a new owner by the name of Stephen O'Connor[5]. He was a local business man, well known in the town for his haulage firm 'The O'Connor Group', which had just been bought by the Stobart Group. One of his first acts as chairman was to re-appoint Steve McCormack as Head Coach.[6]. Widnes were then re-admitted into NL1, and the club managed to scrape together a squad which mostly consisted of Academy 'youngsters'. The RFL then placed a nine point deduction on the club for going into administration, in the off season. However, they managed to wipe out the deduction in their first three games. Widnes then set their eyes on a Super League 2009 spot, along with 18 other clubs. The clubs had to apply for a licence in March 2008 to play in Super League 2009, and on the 22nd July, 2008 at 10am, it was announced who were to play in the 'elite' division. Unfortunately Widnes were not granted a licence on the basis that they had been into administration, or liquidation as Richard Lewis chief executive of the RFL kindly put it [7]. It was believed by many that the RFL's dream of expansion would cost not only Widnes but many of the other historical rugby league clubs in Northern England their future. This would be the third time that the Vikings were to be 'shafted' by the RFL as in 1995 they were chosen not to be in the newly created Super league and then in 2005 they were relegated with Leigh to make room for French side Les Catalans Dragons. However, this would not be the end for Widnes Vikings, but the start of a new beginning. They continued to rise, led by the chairman Steve O'Connor. To prove his dedication to the club, he made an inspirational speech with the local MP, on the 27th July, 2008 when Widnes played Dewsbury. With this in mind, Widnes then pursued their ambitions and reached the 2008 National League Playoffs by finishing in 6th place. This meant they had an away trip to third placed Halifax, for the first round which was broadcast live on Skysports. However on the night Widnes lost 32-16 and with that their 2008 campaign ended. Steve McCormack then began to assemble a new team for the 2009 season. This would include one of the leagues biggest signings in James Webster from Hull. However, with the World cup in progress and with at least half of the squad competing for their countries (including McCormack himself), it was quite a challenge for acting head coach John Stankevitch to start pre-season training. When New Zealand beat Australia in the final, the squad returned and some serious pre-season training began. By November 2008 a new team kit had been released by the club, with a new kit supplier in O'Neil's. The home shirt would be the traditional Black and White colours of Widnes in a modern day theme, and the away shirt was a very exciting electric yellow. It was modelled by Widnes Legend Kurt Sorenson, to mark the 20th anniversary of the Widnes side who became the first ever Official World Club Champions, by beating Canberra Raiders at Old Trafford in 1989. By the 16th February, 2009 Widnes declared that they had parted company with Coach Steve McCormack, through 'mutual consent'[8]. The news came 3 days after Widnes were controversially beaten 22-20 at home to Co-Operative Championship 1 side Oldham in the Northern Rail Cup Group Stage. McCormack's assistant John Stankevitch took over on a caretaker basis after his departure, leading the side through the remaining group stage games and into the final 16. On the 9th March, 2009 Chairman Steve O'Connor announced that former Warrington, Whitehaven and England Coach Paul Cullen would succeed McCormack as Head Coach. He was selected from 17 strong canidates and a shorlist of 3 that were interviewed by the Chairman [5] Speaking from the heart Cullen said on his appointment "I'm really excited to be joining Widnes. The plan is simple, we need to get Widnes into Super League where we belong" [1].. Cullen first aided Stankevitch in his final game as caretaker coach, beating french side Toulouse 70-0 in the first game of the Co-operative Championship broadcast live on Sky Sports. In the games which followed Widnes, again appeared to under perform and a re-think in team personel was required. With the added loan signings of Kevin Penny and Steve Pickersgill from local rivals Warrington, and with the loan departures of numerous squad players Widnes began to turn there season around with a dramatic 46-30 win over Gateshead Thunder. However, this was not the end of Cullens re-think of team personnel and on the 5th June 2009 Widnes announced the loan signing of Craig Hall from Hull FC. On the same day it was announced that assistant coach John Stankevitch would leave the club, and would be replaced by Widnes and Wigan Legend Mick Cassidy. The Vikings pushed on and made it to the Northern Rail Cup Final on the 21st June 2009, by beating in-form Halifax at the Shay 22-27. Widnes had sent 12 Coaches to Halifax (Free of charge to Season Ticket Holders), 13 if you include the infamous Doreen's Diehards coach, to support the Black & Whites. Widnes then continued to make significant progress towards reclaiming their Super League status by lifting the Northern Rail Cup for the second time in three years with a 34-18 win against Barrow Raiders. Victory over a brave but ultimately outclassed Barrow in front of a crowd of 8,720 crowd at Blackpool's Bloomfield Road means the Vikings are now eligible to submit an application for a three-year Super League licence in 2011. [edit] Stobart Stadium, HaltonWidnes Rugby League Football Club had a number of grounds before settling at Lowerhouse Lane in 1895. The death of the club's secretary, Tom Naughton in 1932, led to the ground being renamed Naughton Park as a gesture of the team's appreciation. Naughton Park became the best known Rugby League ground in the country due to the success of the 'Chemics'. It was agreed that Halton Council in partnership with the Widnes Vikings would build a new stadium on the existing site. This stadium would provide a multi-purpose complex including a social club, conference facilities, recreational facilities and catering/function facilities. This would be the new home venue for Widnes Vikings. The stadium was officially opened on 2 November 1997 following the completion of phase 1 of a multi-million pound redevelopment of the old Naughton Park site. On 29 January 1999 Halton Borough Council took over responsibility for the entire Stadium, both financially and managerially. This was necessary as the joint venture companies arrangements were not performing as expected. The Stadium reached completion with the opening of the East Stand in September 2005. The Stobart Stadium Halton is an all-seater Stadium which has a capacity of 13,500. It has also had the honour to have staged national finals and international fixtures. This additional stand not only increased the capacity of the Stadium, it also provided a table tennis centre of excellence to Regional standard, a health and fitness facility, a créche and a state of the art injury clinic. The Halton Stadium was renamed to the 'Stobart Stadium Halton' at the Fans Forum on the 6th December 2007. In February 2008 it was given a 'facelift' by Chairman Steve O'Connor during the season, in preparation for the Superleague Licenses. The North stand seats were changed to spell out VIKINGS, East stand seats are sponsored by STOBART and West stand seats are sponsored by HALTON Borough Council as part of the stadium sponsorship deal. The South stand seats were left out until a sponsorship arrangement could be arranged.the stobart stadium [edit] Club setup
[edit] Current SquadMain articles: Widnes Vikings squads and Widnes Vikings coaches
[edit] Captains
[edit] 2009 Signings and transfers[edit] 2009 Signings
[edit] 2009 Transfers
[edit] Honours
[edit] Records[edit] Player records
[edit] 100+ Tries
[edit] 150+ Goals
[edit] Team records
[edit] Players earning International Caps while at Widnes
[edit] Other Notable PlayersThese players have either; received a Testimonial match, or were international representatives before, or after, their time at Widnes. [edit] Super League Era Players[edit] Hall Of FameThe Widnes Hall of Fame was instituted in 1992 with thirteen members. Any former Widnes player who was retired from playing was eligible. The thirteen players who make up the current Hall of Fame are: There have been occasional suggestions that the Hall of Fame might be expanded but so far the club has not taken this step. Some years ago the club organised a poll, via the local press, with a view to adding three more players but the response from the public was very poor and the highest polling players (Anthony "Tony" Myler, Kurt Sorensen and Stuart Wright) were not formally inducted. [edit] References
[edit] External links
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