The Widnes Vikings competed in the Co-operative Championship in 2010. Widnes were the defending 2010 National League Cup champions after they won the competition in 2009.
Off Field Activity
2010 Strip
The Widnes Vikings unveiled their new 2010 home shirt on Tuesday 1 December 2009 in front of 300 fans at the Stobart Stadium Halton.
Manufactured by Irish-based O'Neill's Sportswear, the shirt was specially designed with advances moisture control allowing the body to breathe easily with the garment feeling dry and cool to contribute to improved player performance.
The main shirt sponsor was the Stobart Group, and the word 'Stobart' was written across the front of the shirt. The strip also had four coloured lines (1 black, 2 red and another black line) stretching up the left hand side of the shirt; these four lines were similar to the three red lines the Stobart Group use on their haulage vehicles.
The shirt also featured the RFL's 'Try Assist' logo, the new name for the RFL Benevolent Fund and a new sleeve sponsor for 2010 in Halton Housing Trust. The logo of Halton Borough Council was also displayed on the right hand side of the chest on the front of the shirt.
During the event the 2010 squad numbers were announced and fans were able to pre-order the new shirt which the Vikings will wear against Warrington Wolves in the World of Beds Cup on Boxing Day.
For the Gateshead Thunder game in 2009, chairman Steve O'Connor offered free admission for all Vikings fans. As season ticket holders did not benefit from this special offer (as they had already paid for the game when purchasing their season ticket), the club decided they would give vouchers to the 2009 season ticket holders who renewed their season tickets during an 'Early Bird' promotion. The vouchers were for fans to use on kit manufacturer O'Neills merchandise in the January sales.
Fans could claim discounts on Vikings items from the store, including the new 2010 strip. The discounts were: adult season ticket holders £10, concession season ticket holders £7 and junior season ticket holders £2. These discounts could only be applied when visiting the O'Neils store in Widnes town centre.
Vikings' CEO Alex Bonney explained the thinking behind the initiative: "Steve's offer in June came when things weren't going well on the pitch and the comeback against Gateshead, plus the atmosphere generated by our fans, set the team up for the victory over Halifax in the NRC semi-final and ultimately the final victory over Barrow to give us the ability to apply for a 2012 Super League licence. "While recognising that season ticket holders had already paid for this game as part of their 2009 ticket, we had planned to discount their 2010 season ticket but were heartened that a number of fans spoke to us to say that they understood the 'bigger picture' and were keen to back the club's initiative for that game without recompense. "With that in mind, and in conjunction with O'Neill's, the voucher scheme was established. "However, for those fans who do not wish to avail of this offer, we will class their voucher as a donation to the Valhalla Foundation, our award-winning charity.""
Special Edition Charity Kit On Thursday 18 March Widnes wore a specially designed "one-off" charity kit during their Co-Operative Championship match, that was broadcast live on Sky Sports against Halifax to promote the Everyman Campaign, which raises awareness of testicular and prostate cancer in men.
The specially designed kit was manufactured by the Vikings current kit manufacturer O'Neils. The design of the kit was featured around a "nude" look, with the shirt made to look like a bare chested male torso, and the shorts made to look like males thighs, with a fig leaf covering the genital area.
Fans could purchase the special edition shirt from Wednesday 10 March. The shirt cost £40 and in aid of event O'Neil's donated £5 from every shirt sale to the Everyman charity. Fans were also able to make a donation online through a special page set up by the Vikings on the Justgiving website. Fans were also able to donate on the night at the Stobart Stadium Halton as volunteers were available within the stadium to collect donations.
To raise further funds for the charity, fans were able to purchase the match shirts worn by the players on the night through an auction run by the club. Fans were given until 5.00 pm on Monday 22 March to submit a bid to the club. Bids opened up at a minimum price of £50.00 and bids could be submitted by e-mail or by leaving a bid in a sealed envelope at the club reception.
Vikings chairman Steve O'Connor said: "Nearly everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer. Unfortunately among men it is still a problem we don't like to talk about. We want to help raise awareness of the symptoms - and how to get help - and also help to raise money for such an important cause. We have chosen the Halifax game because we are expecting a big crowd so we can make a significant donation to Everyman".
Everyman spokesperson Tatjana Trposka said: "We are thrilled with the support we have received from Widnes Vikings. We desperately need to raise more awareness and funds to fight prostate and testicular cancers and we are another step closer thanks to the help of Widnes."
Transfers & Squad
It was all change for Widnes during pre-season with eight popular first team players leaving the Stobart Stadium Halton for pastures new. Gavin Dodd, John Duffy, Richard Fletcher, Tim Hartley, Michael Ostick and Brett Robinson all left in transfer deals, whilst Danny Mills and Lee Paterson were released.
Many of the moves were forced due to RFL reducing the salary cap. Previously the Championship's salary cap operated by limiting a club's player costs to no more than 50% of the club's income and is capped at a limit of £400,000. The new figures for 2010 will be reduced to 40% and £300,000, respectively.
Sporting Director Terry O'Connor said: "I know some of the players leaving would prefer to stay and we would like to keep them but with the reduction of the salary cap to £300,000, we have to spend accordingly".
Transfers in
Players In Player Signed from Date signed Contract lengthJames FordCastleford Tigers1 September 20092 YearsSteve PickersgillWarrington Wolves15 September 20093 YearsThomas CoyleOldham R.L.F.C.5 October 2009Gareth HaggertyHarlequins6 October 20091 YearChris GerrardWigan Warriors6 October 20092 Years
Loan/Dual Registration
Under new rulings Super League players are eligible for dual registration with a Championship club. The dual registration system is different to a loan agreement. Dual registered players can be called back at any time by their original club, when needed to play for them intermittently based upon form or injuries. When they are not needed by their original club they are eligible to play for their alternative dual registered club.
A player is only eligible for dual registration if they are outside the top 20 players (financially) of the Super League club's playing squad. Dual registered players are not allowed to feature in Challenge Cup games for their alternative club.
Loan players may go to Championship Clubs or to Super League clubs but must go for a minimum of 4 weeks.
Loan/Dual Registration Player Contracted Club Contract Type Contract length Date signedChris DeanSt. HelensDual RegistrationFull Season December 2009Shaun AinscoughWigan WarriorsDual RegistrationFull SeasonFebruary 2010Liam FarrelWigan WarriorsDual RegistrationFull SeasonFebruary 2010Ben DaviesWigan WarriorsLoan3 MonthsFebruary 2010
Transfers out
Players Out Player Transferred To Date LeftJohn DuffyLeigh CenturionsSeptember 2009Iain MorrisonFeatherstone RoversOctober 2009Gavin Dodd October 2009Richard FletcherOctober 2009Tim Hartley October 2009Brett Robinson October 2009Danny MillsReleased October 2009Lee PatersonReleased October 2009Josh SimmReleased October 2009Michael OstickRochdale HornetsDecember 2009
Current squad
Preseason The international rugby league season took place between the 2009 and 2010 seasons, with the Four Nations being held in England and France. Vikings assistant coach Stuart Wilkinson assisted former Widnes star Bobbie Goulding by leading the French national team into the Four Nations, against England, Australia and New Zealand.
France's opening game was against England in the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster. Wilkinson and Goulding's French team started off strong taking a 12–4 lead at half time. England put in a strong second half performance scoring 30 unanswered point to win the game 34–12. Results didn't get much better for the French side as they were punished 62-12 by New Zealand in their second game of the competition and defeated 42-4 by Australia in their final game.
Despite losing all three games Wilkinson believes the experience will prove invaluable to him as a coach as he gained valuable insights on some new training and tactical ideas he plans to introduce to the training pitch at Widnes. He said: "It's great working with and against the game's elite and pitting your wits against the best players and coaches in the world. Since returning I've already discussed tactics with Paul at length and we'll see what we can do."
Fixtures and results
Legend Game Won Game Drawn Game Lost Game Abandoned
Round Date Kickoff (GMT) Home/Away Opponent Result Score Venue Attendance 126 Dec 200915:00HWarrington WolvesAA - AStobart Stadium Halton- 210 Jan 201015:00ABlackpool PanthersAA - AWoodlands Memorial Ground- 319 Jan 201019:30HSt. HelensL26 - 42Stobart Stadium Halton2,034 423 Jan 201015:00AAS CarcassonneL32 - 14Stade d'Albert Domec800 524 Jan 201015:00HSalford City RedsL0 - 36Stobart Stadium Halton1,780
Round 1: vs. Warrington
Widnes Vikings open their pre-season schedule versus Super League neighbours and Warrington Wolves, in the World of Beds Cup on Boxing Day. This will also be the first time the fans get the chance to see some of the Vikings new signings.
It will be the first time former Wolves player Steve Pickersgill faces up against his old club after his transfer to the Vikings during the off season. Vikings Head Coach Paul Cullen also a former Warrington Wolves player stated that the tie is not about "me versus Warrington", it's about getting a good run-out for some of our players and raising some funds.
However, freezing weather conditions led to the game being cancelled as the surface was unplayable, and road conditions treacherous for fans. The game was rescheduled for Sunday, 3 January but again the severe weather conditions resulted in the game being cancelled a second time.
Round 2: vs. Blackpool Widnes Vikings assistant coach Stuart Wilkinson and conditioning coach Mick Cassidy continued their pre-season preparations by getting the Widnes side ready for a seaside clash with Blackpool Panthers in the absence of head coach Paul Cullen who was granted compassionate leave by the club whilst his wife is receiving treatment for cancer.
The snow and ice has meant the temporary duo of Wilkinson and Cassidy have had the unenviable task of finding alternative methods of preparing the squad for the Blackpool fixture. Wilkinson is happy to do all he can to help out during a difficult time for the club, he said: "I love the coaching work that I do and I have no aspiration to be a head coach, but it's a case of needs must at the moment. We're working in an unusual circumstances and Paul will be in and out. We're all supporting Paul in the best way we can and so myself and Mick Cassidy will ensure everything runs like he wants it to."
Despite all the effort put in on both sides to prepare for the fixture, the freezing weather conditions have again interrupted the Viking's pre season schedule. Due to snow and ice the pitch has been deemed unplayable and the Blackpool Panthers vs Widnes Vikings game was cancelled.
Round 3: vs. St Helens