Noone remains at heart of the team

Dec 13 2007 by Dave Bettley, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

WIDNES Vikings’ new-look squad has only been together for a week or so and further recruitment is still needed.

But according to Paul Noone, the players are already beginning to strike up the kind of strong bond every successful team needs.

Hometowner Noone is, for one, just pleased to be able to continue to live out his boyhood dream of playing for Widnes after a crisis-torn close season, which could have seen the demise of the club.

He said: “I could have signed elsewhere but knew in my heart I wanted to stay at Widnes.

“If we make it to a franchise next year, I’d rather be playing Super League for Widnes than any other Super League side.”

In some respects, it will be a strange 2008 for the Vikings.

They know even a Grand Final victory will not necessarily mean a return to the top-flight as clubs will be competing for a Super League licence on a range of criteria.

But uncertainty is something the players grew used to last season with former chairman-owner Stephen Vaughan having withdrawn his financial backing and involvement.

Noone agrees that having a winning team, while not guaranteeing promotion, is as important as ever.

“I’m glad Steve O’Connor is on board now,” he added. “He has got some good people behind him and brought some stability money-wise.

“As long as we are doing the stuff on the field, the rest will take care of itself.

“If the club is pushing for a licence, you want to be fighting for a Super League contract the next year. That’s what players are here for.”

Former Warrington Wolves second-rower Noone had a chance to stay in Super League before coming to what was then Halton Stadium.

But as someone who used to support Widnes from the terraces, attending the 1989 World Club Challenge victory over Canberra Raiders with his dad, there was only one team he wanted to join once their interest became apparent.

“I grew up playing for the town teams at schoolboy level and always wanted to play for Widnes,” he admitted.

Noone spent eleven years at Warrington and believes he has unfinished business at the highest level.

“I’m only just turned 26 and hopefully have another four or five years in me.

“If we can make it to Super League next year and get some good signings, I’m sure we will be a force.

“There’s a lot of good young lads coming through and we’ve signed some good Super League players like Jim Gannon, Iain Morrison and Danny Hill.

“Tim Hartley has also played in Super League and where as last year, we had some really good players, lads who had played a bit of Super League, we’ve now signed better players with a lot more experience of it.”