Viking invasion

Oct 9 2008 by Paul Glynn, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

STOBART Stadium Halton opened its doors to some new and familiar faces this week – as Vikings’ preparations for the new season officially got under way.

The class of 2009, who will be hoping to mount a serious title challenge, gathered for the first time.

Our photographer Stuart Bogg was there to greet the squad and particularly the new signings and also youngsters who have come through the ranks to join the senior squad.

Monday’s get-together provided an opportunity for the players to meet up with team-mates old and new and the coaching and backroom staff, as well as finalising their pre-season plans.

The majority of the Vikings squad will return to training on October 27 but Widnes’s Rugby League World Cup representatives are not due back until December 1.

Terry O’Connor, sporting director, is looking forward to seeing the new-look squad in action.

He said: “Rugby league is a big family and so a lot of the players who were here last season will already know or have played against the new lads.

“We definitely have a strong squad and competition for places and we will go straight back into it as soon as training begins.

“Most of the players keep themselves ticking over during the off-season and those who haven’t will find it tough going at first!”

He added: “There’s a good mix of experience and young players, who will want to go on and achieve something this season

“It’s also great to have the likes of Iain Morrison, Lee Doran and Lee Paterson competing at the World Cup and it would be nice in the future to see some more internationals coming out of this club, which I think will happen looking at some of our younger lads.”

The RFL was also on hand on the night to deliver its 100% ME anti-doping presentation, reinforcing the fact that all players are responsible for what goes into their system when it comes to being drug-tested.

Steve Roper, the 21-year-old scrum-half who was released after 13 first-team appearances for Vikings last season, has signed a one-year contract with National League Two’s Workington Town.

Steve McCormack has named Widnes’ John Duffy, Iain Morrison and Lee Patterson in his Scotland squad.

They are joined by former Vikings Gareth Morton, Mick Nanyn and Oliver Wilkes.

Ex-Widnes forward Mick Cassidy has been named in Ireland’s World Cup squad at the age of 35.