The race is on to save club’s future

Oct 18 2007 by Alex Turner, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

IT has been a punishing schedule far tougher than any faced by the players during the season.

In the 10 days since Vikings lost the Grand Final at Headingley and began to assess the damage, there have been numerous meetings, telephone calls and number crunching as they try to steer a way through the fog of administration.

Much of the work must take place off-radar, to ensure that plans can be developed without being scuppered and to allow discussions to prosper away from the glare of publicity.

The Vikings have to satisfy the demands of three bodies: the administrator, Jonathan Avery-Gee of Manchester-based Kay Johnson Gee, the Rugby Football League (RFL) and Halton Borough Council.

After the club were placed into administration last Tuesday, they met with RFL officials the following day.

However, neither the RFL’s executive chairman, Richard Lewis, nor their chief operating officer, Nigel Wood, were present.

Mr Avery-Gee was accompanied by Vikings chief executive Pete Barrow and general manager Pat Cluskey.

It was confirmed that the Vikings’ membership of the RFL is suspended – as is usual when a club enters administration – although this may not have any material effect.

On Thursday, Mr Avery- Gee and Mr Barrow met with the council’s chief executive David Parr.

Halton Council, as well as being owed substantial rent arrears, have a commercial interest in the Vikings continuing to play at the Halton Stadium.

David Parr said: ‘The council leader, Cllr Tony McDermott, and myself are in regular contact with the Vikings and we are working with them to develop a rescue package, looking at every option available.

‘In the next couple of weeks, a detailed report will be brought to the council on the options available.

‘Executive board members have been advised of the current position and members will be briefed further when we are in a position to provide more information.

‘We would positively encourage individuals and businesses, who would like to work with the council to deliver a rescue package that will achieve financial stability for the Vikings and secure rugby league in Halton, to come forward as we would welcome a dialogue with them.’

As a result of both meetings, Vikings officials were asked to prepare short and long-term business plans.

A club spokesperson said: ‘Halton Council has supported Widnes Vikings for many years and their overriding aim is to help secure a viable and successful future for the Vikings.

‘At the request of both the RFL and Halton Council, club officials are now preparing short and long-term business plans which will then be submitted to both these parties.

‘Halton Council is keen to maintain its close relationship with the club on and off the field and will work hard with club officials and the administrator to put it back on a firm operational basis and where it truly belongs – Super League.’

The club continued to talk up their chances of being in Super League in 2009, despite the current position.

A statement said: ‘Although the club is in administration, supporters should rest assured we still have Super League aspirations and once new owners come on board, we will continue to pursue a Super League licence for 2009.’