Tommy guns for Vikings return

Dec 20 2007 by Alex Turner, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

LOOSE forward Tommy Gallagher should become a Viking for the second time in the coming days after rejecting offers from Workington Town and Barrow Raiders.

Gallagher, 24, was released by Hull KR at the end of the 2007 season, having made eight Super League appearances for the Humberside club.

The last of these was in the 52-22 defeat at Bradford in April before going to Batley Bulldogs on loan.

Gallagher, who was a product of Leeds Academy, has recently bought a house in Wigan. He will be offered a part-time contract to accommodate his job as an apprentice builder.

A back-rower, Gallagher joined the Vikings on loan for the last six matches of the 2004 season, and played under caretaker coach Stuart Spruce as the club narrowly avoided relegation.

He went on to play for Toulouse, and scored a try as they beat Widnes in the quarter-final of the 2005 Challenge Cup.

Gallagher played in the semi-final defeat against Leeds and was also in Hull KR’s starting line-up 12 months later as they lost their semi-final against St Helens.

He had made his Super League debut in May 2003 with London Broncos as a 19-year-old against St Helens.

In total, Gallagher has made 24 Super League appearances, 22 of which have been as a substitute.

Gallagher joins recent recruits Ian Hardman, Tim Hartley, Danny Hill and Iain Morrison as young players with Super League experience.

Coach Steve McCormack is also reported to have lined up an Australian half-back, although a deal is not expected to be finalised until January.

Off-the-field, the club has appointed a commercial manager to help increase attendances and drive revenues.

Mike Banks, 44, joins the Vikings from the Haydock-based Jockey Club where he was business development manager.

He previously worked at Everton, Brands Hatch Leisure Group and Sale Sharks.

Father-of-one Mr Banks said: “I’m very excited and this is a fantastic opportunity.

“There’s a lot of work to do but with my background, I’m very confident I will make a tremendous difference.

“I am absolutely sure we can increase gates week on week.

“We must make every game an experience for spectators and whether it’s a family, individual or corporate client, we’re aiming to give them a day they won’t forget.”

The Vikings’ new-look website has already been upgraded after it received unexpectedly high levels of interest from fans.

The site was receiving more than 3,000 visits a day until the launch of the online store on Friday caused it to crash.

John O’Sullivan, managing director of site designers Weston Point Studio, said: “So many people clicked on to the site to view merchandising and watch the videos from the fans’ forum earlier this month that it simply couldn’t cope.

“We are now introducing a dedicated server for the Vikings’ website to handle the massive demand.”

Vikings chief executive Alex Bonney said: “Naturally we apologise for any inconvenience caused to our fans.

“However, it is really encouraging that so many people are taking an interest in the new website which is going to be the focal point for accessing information about the club, purchasing match tickets and shopping for merchandise.”

The club has introduced a special telephone helpline for supporters needing advice on ticket and season-ticket sales.

Fans can call 0151 495 4822 between 9.30am and 5pm, Monday-Friday, for information and help.