The exodus begins

Oct 11 2007 by Alex Turner, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

THE future looks bleak for the Vikings as the fall-out from Sunday’s dismal Grand Final defeat at the hands of Castleford Tigers at Headingley threatens to go nuclear.

The club was placed into administration on Tuesday and it is likely to get much worse for Vikings fans before matters improve.

A player exodus, probable points deduction, a shift to part-time, and fevered speculation about the club’s future will ensure it is a nervous off-season for the club and its supporters.

The Rugby Football League could force Widnes Vikings to play in National League Two next season but this is thought unlikely. Instead the club can expect to be hit with a small points deduction.

Doncaster and Swinton were both docked six points when they went into administration during last season.

But it will be a very different squad that lines up in 2008 with most of the Grand Final team expected to find new clubs.

Dennis Moran, Toa Kohe-Love and Gareth Price are expected to join Leigh while Damien Blanch will sign for Wakefield.

Grand Final substitutes Aaron Summers, Jordan James and Ian Webster have already joined newly-promoted Celtic Crusaders.

And the Crusaders could be the biggest beneficiary of Widnes’s financial crisis, as there is now likely to be a Super League licence available for an expansion club.

With little prospect of Super League rugby at Widnes for at least four years, the club will struggle to attract high-calibre players. Instead the emphasis will be placed on youth.

Coach Steve McCormack will not be returning to Whitehaven, despite rumours linking him with a return to his former club after former Barrow coach Paul Crarey was confirmed in the post on Tuesday.

However the future is far from certain for McCormack, who signed a new two-year contract in July.