Boss: let's hit rivals for six

Sep 4 2008 by Paul Glynn, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

WIDNES Vikings are determined to achieve what no club has ever done – by winning The Co-operative National League One play-offs from sixth spot.

Defeat in their final league game at Whitehaven last week meant that Steve McCormack’s men were handed tonight’s tough away tie against Halifax at The Shay.

However, defiant coach McCormack believes he and his players will use the play-offs to once again prove the club’s many doubters wrong.

He said: “I love playing play-off football, it’s what its all about.

“The fact nobody’s ever won it from finishing in sixth position before means that this is now another challenge for us.

“Being involved in these kind of games is a great way to end the season as we’ve had some ups and downs and it’s aged me by about 25 years!

“None of us are even thinking about holidays yet and we’d be more than happy to put them on hold for another month or so if we can.”

Widnes and Halifax have played out two classic encounters already this season and McCormack is expecting another frenetic affair this evening in West Yorkshire.

“Halifax are an outstanding attacking team but so are we and they are aware of that,” added the coach.

Captain Mark Smith and Supporters Player of the Year Iain Morrison have penned new two-year contracts, much to the pleasure of their coach.

“I’m delighted that they have both signed and we will have to sort out new contracts for some of our other players,” said McCormack.

“Smithy’s been outstanding since I’ve been at the club and he is a firm fans’ favourite.”

Vikings skipper Smith admits he needed little persuasion to extend his stay.

He said: “Widnes is like a second home for me now.

“It’s the only club I’ve really known other than Wigan and you only have to look at the strides the club has made in that time.

“Now is the first time that Steve’s had a clean slate to pick who he wants to bring in from early on and I’m sure that he’ll bring some more new players in, as well as keeping hold of some of our best performers.”

Smith himself is now hoping to celebrate signing the new deal tonight.

He said: “The play-offs have been tried and trusted in the past and they certainly make the game more exciting.

“From a personal point of view, I dislocated my arm against Halifax at home earlier this season and so it’s an important game.

“We just hope that the fans turn out in massive numbers to make it like another home game for us.”

Smith added: “I don’t believe it when I hear people say that you can’t win the play-offs from outside the top three.

“I think anyone can win it and after having just watched the Olympics, it’s clear that records are there to be broken.”