Widnes Vikings: Voucher offer for loyal Vikings fans

Dec 10 2009 by David Bergin, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

WIDNES Vikings season ticket holders are being offered free vouchers to spend on kit manufacturer O’Neills merchandise in the January sales.

Following the Gateshead Thunder game last season when chairman Steve O’Connor offered free admission for all Vikings fans, the club will give the O’Neill’s vouchers to those 2009 season ticket holders who have renewed for 2010 in the ‘early bird’ period.

Between January 5-30, there will be the opportunity to receive a discount at the O’Neill’s outlet in Widnes town centre. When making a purchase, season ticket holders are asked to produce their card and the following discounts will be applied at the counter; adult season ticket holders £10, concession season ticket holders £7 and junior season ticket holders £2. A paper voucher will not be issued.

Vikings’ CEO Alex Bonney explained the thinking behind the initiative: “Steve’s offer in June came when things weren’t going well on the pitch and the comeback against Gateshead, plus the atmosphere generated by our fans, set the team up for the victory over Halifax in the NRC semi-final and ultimately the final victory over Barrow to give us the ability to apply for a 2012 Super League licence.

“While recognising that season ticket holders had already paid for this game as part of their 2009 ticket, we had planned to discount their 2010 season ticket but were heartened that a number of fans spoke to us to say that they understood the ‘bigger picture’ and were keen to back the club’s initiative for that game without recompense.

“With that in mind, and in conjunction with O’Neill’s, the voucher scheme was established.

“However, for those fans who do not wish to avail of this offer, we will class their voucher as a donation to the Valhalla Foundation, our award-winning charity.”