We can do it!

Oct 4 2007 by Ian Cheveau, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

VIKINGS boss Steve McCormack says stakes couldn’t be higher for the club in Sunday’s £1 million clash with Castleford Tigers.

But McCormack believes Vikings can learn from experience at Headingley (6pm) and avoid a second successive Grand Final heartbreak.

‘Everyone connected with the club knows how important Sunday’s game is,’ he said.

‘We won a pressure game against Halifax last week and we must do it again.

‘It’s the biggest game in rugby league in my opinion as the stakes are that high. I can’t put it clearer than that.

‘All the players are really looking forward to the final. They have prepared as well as I have seen all year.

‘I can compare it to the Whitehaven final in Blackpool as things are happening in the same way and if the players play as well as they did that day, then the result will look after itself.’

McCormack will name his squad on Saturday morning.

Aaron Summers, linked with Celtic Crusaders, has recovered from a calf injury.

McCormack added: ‘It’s always tough selecting a team for a final but it’s a headache that I would rather have than not have.’

McCormack also hopes to break a personal duck of being the defeated coach in four Grand Finals with Whitehaven and Widnes.

But he stressed: ‘To be honest, this game is not about me. It’s about what the players do on the field. It’s also a day for our fantastic supporters and the players will be doing everything possible on the field to get the win for them.’

Widnes’ Grand Final preparations were served a triple tonic in the Co-operative National League awards.

Vikings were named club of the year at Elland Road, Leeds, on Tuesday – judges considering the work done on the pitch and also off it through community, scholarship and the Service Area work.

Chairman Peter Knowles said: ‘This award gives us even more confidence that our bid for a licence for 2009-2011 will be successful.’

Dennis Moran picked up NL1 Player of the Year, team-mate Oliver Wilkes also being shortlisted.

They joined Scott Grix, Damien Blanch, Mick Nanyn and Bob Beswick in the league’s All Stars line-up.

Steve McCormack and Tigers’ boss Terry Matterson were pipped for Coach of the Year by Sheffield’s Mark Aston.

Vikings owner Stephen Vaughan has given the club’s board 48 hours to buy his majority shareholding – or face the prospect of him selling to an outside company.

Vaughan sensationally quit as Widnes chairman on the eve of their opening match against Leigh and has not been involved in the day-to-day running.

Vaughan had been discussing the sale of his controlling interest in Chester City Football Club with Spain-based ISM.

Vaughan said: ‘I have given the existing board members at Widnes continued opportunities to buy my shares.

‘I have offered them a reasonable deal for them and it’s an opportunity for them to take on the club as they have its best interest at heart.’

Vikings chief executive Pete Barrow confirmed Widnes director Jimmy Quinn has been speaking to Vaughan’s solicitor Alan Middleton.

He said: ‘My understanding is that Jimmy does not want to take on any more shares.

‘Stephen needs permission from the board before he can sell his shares to anyone. It’s written into the articles of association of the club.’