New delay over Vikings ownership

Nov 1 2007 by Alex Turner, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

VIKINGS fans’ anxious wait as to who will be the club’s new owners goes on after a further delay in the administrator’s decision.

The club went into administration on October 9, less than 48 hours after the Grand Final defeat against Castleford Tigers had denied them promotion to Super League.

The uncertainty appeared to have ended last Thursday when Vikings chief executive Pete Barrow confirmed a decision was expected from the administrator early this week.

And even an announcement on Tuesday of a delay of 24 hours by the administrator was positive, as it appeared to confirm the process was nearly complete.

The delay was to allow the administrator, Jonathan Avery-Gee of Salford-based Kay Johnson Gee, more time to consider the bids.

But Wednesday was a frustrating day for fans with no news from the club.

This morning, instead of the expected news, a further delay was announced.

A club spokesperson said: ‘As yet there has been no decision made by the administrator with regards to the new owners of the club.

‘Meetings took place yesterday, Wednesday, and will continue today with the possibility of an announcement on Friday.’

But if there is no decision before the weekend it will see the crisis enter its fifth week.

The uncertainty has seen the club haemorrhage players and coaching staff.

Coach Steve McCormack and his assistant Andy Haigh have left while Scott Grix and OIiver Wilkes are expected to add to the dozen players to leave by signing for Wakefield.

Fanciful rumours linking Ian Millward to the coaching job are unfounded, and the former St Helens and Wigan boss – who is assistant coach at NRL side North Queensland Cowboys – returned to Australia on Monday after visiting family in North West England.

His salary demands would be prohibitive and it is possible that ex-Salford coach Karl Harrison, who has expressed an interest in the job and would be a popular choice among fans, could also price himself out of the running.

Three other coaches with National League – Neil Kelly, Darren Abram and John Stankevitch – are likely to be more affordable options.

Mr Barrow said club staff had been working with the administrator to produce a budget that showed the club could break-even next year.

He said: ‘The finances of the club has meant that some areas of activity have necessarily been reduced or postponed but careful consideration has been given to maintain a balance within all aspects of the club.

‘The budget must identify a profit or at the very least break even thereby demonstrating that the club can go forward as a viable business venture.’