Widnes Vikings back and raring to go

Nov 13 2008 by Dave Bettley, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

WIDNES Vikings are making great strides on and off the field for next season.

Players have returned to training a month earlier than usual – despite staff and players being on World Cup duty in Australia.

Meanwhile, almost 1,800 season tickets were snapped up before the early-bird discount deadline.

With Steve McCormack being Down Under with Scotland, assistant John Stankevitch has been Vikings’ acting head coach.

“Players have returned a month earlier than normal and realise the hard work must start now,” said Stankevitch.

“After missing pre-season last year, we need to hit the ground running and be mentally strong.

“The lads have shown great determination. Individually, all of the players have returned with added determination to be successful.”

Vikings fans have stunned club officials with their response to the offer as 1,797 season tickets were sold by Friday’s cut-off. This is 73% of the total for the 2008 season.

With the 2009 season not starting for another three months, Vikings hope this fantastic response will continue over Christmas and New Year.

Scotland and Ireland, both featuring Vikings players and staff, are out of the World Cup.

Ireland lost their semi-final qualifier to Fiji 30-14 while Scotland, knowing they couldn’t qualify despite their historic first ever World Cup victory over Fiji, ended their campaign with a 48-0 defeat to Tonga.