Widnes Vikings: Sporting director Terry O’Connor calls for pre-season dedication as Stobart Stadium Halton squad returns to training

Nov 5 2009 by Paul Glynn, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

VIKINGS began pre-season training this week and are ready for three months worth of hard graft that will define their 2010 Championship season.

Head coach Paul Cullen, who will oversee his first off-season at the club, ran the rule over his new-look squad alongside fitness conditioner Mick Cassidy.

New boys Gareth Haggerty, Chris Gerrard, Thomas Coyle, James Ford and the returning Steve Pickersgill all joined up with their new team-mates for the first time on Monday evening.

Starlets such as Danny Hulme, Dean Thompson, Anthony Mullally and Dave Houghton were also put through their paces.

And although one unnamed Viking was left feeling physically sick after the gruelling first session, the coaching staff are thought to be pleased with the general fitness levels of the returning players.

Speaking exclusively to the Weekly News, sporting director Terry O’Connor was keen to underline the importance of enduring a demanding pre-season.

“The work that we do in off-season will make or break our season,” he said.

“It’s a chance for everyone to get as big and strong as they can, physically and mentally, so when we travel to the likes of Barrow, Whitehaven and Halifax, we’ll be ready.

“Everyone is apprehensive at first as they know they have three months of lung-busting work ahead and on the weights, rowing machines and rugby field and even wrestling.

“Anyone taking shortcuts in training now will soon come unstuck and we’ll learn a lot about the players during this period.”

He added: “But we’ve got some fantastic characters in our squad now, a real good mix and we want to create a winning mentality.

“The young lads know what they’ve got to do and that’s to kick on and be bigger, faster and stronger again this year. The senior players know they have to lead by example and the new boys will want to take their chance.”

O’Connor also admitted he is in ongoing talks with other clubs about bringing in new faces but refused to be drawn on targets.

The former GB international insists they must be able to demonstrate the required psychological and physical make-up to pull on the famous black and white jersey.

“There are many players on the market but it’s vital to check their backgrounds first and ensure that we don’t bring in any bad eggs,.” added O’Connor. “Paul has identified the players that he wants and we are not rushing anything.”