RFL officials enjoy Widnes experience

May 1 2008 by Dave Bettley, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

DESPITE losing to their Super League licence rivals Celtic Crusaders, the Vikings may be happy with the apparent conclusions of the Rugby Football League (RFL) who were interested spectators at Stobart Stadium Halton on Sunday.

Some of the RFL’s top brass were present to witness what Widnes has to offer on a game day and they were not disappointed.

More than 4,000 Vikings fans came through the turnstiles to back their team and that will not go unnoticed by Red Hall chiefs, considering the poor weather.

There is no doubt they will also have taken note of the Vikings’ excellent matchday experience.

Similarly, the poor turnout of Crusaders fans must surely have set the alarm bells ringing at Leeds HQ.

Celtic managed to attract 20-plus supporters to the game and this has to be a worrying sign for a club which is considered one of the favourites to capture one of the coveted Super League franchise places.

All credit to the fans of the Welsh outfit who followed their team but is this support enough for Super League next year?

It’s imperative the game expands, and into Wales, but not at the expense of some of the heartland clubs.

Chairmen are already coughing over how much of the financial cake is going to be split and how many ways.

The Vikings have a regular travelling army of 2,000 every other week and that is money in the bank as far rival club chairmen are concerned.

Members of the press were on Friday invited to an exclusive ‘walk around’ by chairman Steve O’Connor and sporting director Terry O’Connor.

The Super League hacks were astonished by the transformation the club has undergone since they last came through its doors over a year ago.

Although Widnes are not yet the finished article, in many aspects their operation is more robust and dynamic than many current top-flight clubs.

I’m sure the RFL will come to the right decision but I think the juggernaut that is Widnes Vikings is travelling too fast to be stopped.

IAN CHEVEAU