Vikings boss says "sorry" to fans

May 29 2008 by Dave Bettley, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

WIDNES boss Steve McCormack has issued an apology to fans after the holders were unceremoniously dumped out of the Northern Rail Cup.

McCormack, still reeling himself from Saturday’s drubbing by the Vikings’ Super League licence rivals Celtic Crusaders, accepts responsibility for the defeat is collective.

And he has assured fans travelling to Featherstone for this Sunday’s 6pm kick-off game, there will be no repeat.

He said: “I would like to apologise to the genuine fans that went down to Celtic Crusaders to watch us.

“I was disgusted with the performance. To get beaten by 50 points is very disappointing.

“We have not put in that level of performance all season and to get that score put on us in a quarter-final of a cup competition, in which we were the holders, is not good enough.

‘We are disappointed to get beaten the way we did and it’s important that the players react in a positive manner this week at Featherstone.”

McCormack has held his hands up and admitted the players’ commitment didn’t match that of the Crusaders.

He added: “The commitment from the players wasn’t what it should have been and on Saturday we were found wanting.

“When I say we, I include myself in that as I take full responsibility for the performance.

“It’s the first time it has happened this year and it will be the last.

“Our league form has been good and we are doing well in that competition but we were not good enough on Saturday.

“We have all looked at the video and seen where we have gone wrong and now we get a chance to put that right at the weekend.

“That won’t be an easy game either. We have a lot of tough games coming up and we need to improve.”

With emotions running high after the game at Bridgend, some spectators hurled abuse at Widnes players, coaching staff and family members.

McCormack says Vikings will pick themselves up this week but they will still be without Tommy Gallagher, Tim Hartley and Jason Crookes.

Second rower Paul Noone could be back but there are doubts over the fitness of John Duffy and Richard Fletcher.

Both were forced to leave the field in Wales with ankle and neck injuries, respectively.

New recruit Sam Barlow is definitely out with a broken hand sustained during Saturday’s defeat.