Road to administration

Oct 25 2007 by Alex Turner, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

AS two consortiums continue their fight to rescue Widnes Vikings from administration, ALEX TURNER looks at the chain of events which led to a season of such promise on the pitch turning so sour on the field and off it.

JANUARY

Chairman Stephen Vaughan issued a warning about the financial position of the club, asking for more support from all parts of the town.

He said: ‘Rugby league in Widnes is an institution and I need financial support from the board, Halton council and the supporters who come through the gates.

‘I was told that this club has huge support but so far I have yet to see it.

‘From the day I stepped through the doors of this club it has been nothing short of a nightmare.

‘If it was a business I would have closed it down ages ago.’

APRIL

Vaughan sensationally quit on the eve of the National League season.

He said: ‘I have put £840,000 into this club in just over a year – more than anybody has put into the club in its history.

‘I needed more help from the other directors.’

But Vikings director Lol Ogburn, seeking to reassure the Vikings’ fans, said: ‘The club is not in a crisis and we will shortly be making some announcements of a significant financial investment which will be pumped into the club.’

Coach Steve McCormack was less confident.

He said: 'It's been a big few weeks for us but the off-the-field stuff is not helping the team or the coaching staff.

‘We are worried about it and the next pay day.'

MAY

Vaughan explained that he had stepped down because some directors had refused to sign a joint and several liability agreement with Halton Borough Council to offset rent arrears over a two-year period, which would have made the directors individually responsible for the entire amount.

‘I have stumped up the money all last season.

‘We did not make a penny of profit and we needed the board to sign the agreement.

‘Some would and others wouldn’t and that was the final straw.’

Former Vikings chairman Tony Chambers made it clear that poor attendances were hurting the club’s finances.

He said: ‘We need the supporters to come in.

‘We have the Super League-potential team – all we need is more fans in so we can get straight.’

AUGUST

Chambers re-issued his rallying cry three months later after low home attendances, despite good support at the Northern Rail Cup Final in Blackpool.

He said: ‘The team and the board deserve far better support than the sub-3,000 crowds that we have been getting.

‘Such poor figures are of no help in persuading the RFL that Widnes really is a hotbed of RL and deserves a Super League team.

OCTOBER

Ahead of the National League One Grand Final, McCormack said: ‘It’s the biggest game in rugby league in my opinion as the stakes are that high.

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

Widnes are beaten 42-10 and within 48 hours the club announce they are going into administration.