Steve keeps eye on tiger

May 15 2008 by Ian Cheveau, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

VIKINGS boss Steve McCormack has revealed the club has been courting Castleford Tigers star Anthony Thackeray.

McCormack exclusively told Weekly News Sport the 22-year-old had been to Stobart Stadium Halton for talks with sporting director Terry O’Connor.

All was agreed for the half-back to join the club on loan – before the Tigers said the player would remain at the Jungle.

Thackeray, who was looking for more regular first-team football at the Tigers, had already held talks with Halifax while Neil Kelly’s Leigh Centurions were also showing a strong interest.

McCormack said: “Anthony Thackeray is a player we have spoken to.

“Before we got John Duffy in, we had been monitoring his progress.

“He is a player we will continue to monitor but it looks as though he is staying at Castleford.

“We don’t want to get into a situation where the player joins us and then has to leave the club as Castleford had picked up injuries.

“Terry had spoken to Terry Matterson and Anthony’s agent so talks were quite advanced.

“If he was going anywhere, it would have been to us at Widnes.

“We will still keep our eye on it. But we have John Duffy, Bob Beswick, Lee Paterson and Steven Roper who can all play in the pivots – so we have plenty of cover.”

Thackeray would have been an ideal replacement for ball player Tim Hartley, out for up to two months after ankle surgery.

Fellow casualties Paul Noone and Tommy Gallagher are two and up to six weeks from returning, respectively.

McCormack is likely to call on Sam Barlow and Richard Fletcher, both Challenge Cup-tied against Hull FC, for Sunday’s home NL1 clash with Sheffield Eagles.

McCormack warned: “Sheffield are third and they are not there on luck.”