Widnes Vikings

And so another season comes to an end. In the clubs first Play off game for a number of years we lost 27-10 to York Knights to bow out of this years competition. Whilst disappointing in its own right it has not been a disappointing season. The club has made big strides this season, on and off the pitch but the job has only just started. A lot of work has gone on by lots of people to get the club back on the up. Nobody has a divine right to be successful and we know that only too well. The club has started a journey. A journey that, at its heart, has reconnection with the fan base and it is something that has been a focus from day one. Allan Coleman has been at the forefront of that and has shown to the supporters how much he cares. Add to that a squad that gives 100% in every game and you have a very good starting point for moving forward. Over the course of any season, every club can look at matches and give reasons why things could have been better. For us it is about how we can improve next season to build on what those fans have enjoyed this season. The support has been great and we are all proud of getting the club back into the Championship Play Offs. We took a large number of fans to York on Saturday and, despite the scoreline, the reception the fans gave the staff and the players, post match was so so good. It was a testament to what they have witnessed this season. The work towards next season doesn't begin now, it began a long time ago and we are looking forward to letting people know about new players and our plans for the new season. On behalf of the club we would like to thank all our sponsors, players, staff and especially fans for this season. It is a good time to be a Viking and everybody will be working hard to get better next year. #CPOV #together #getbetter #2025

Well ,all you Vikings out there. How does it feel to have a Play Off team representing your club today? Yesterday's win up at Barrow by 26-24 saw the team finish fifth and now we have an away trip to York this Saturday afternoon, kick off 3pm. This is the first time the club have been in the Championship Play Offs since 2011 and the first time since we were relegated in 2018. It's a good feeling for all concerned for all the hard work on and off the field by everybody connected with the club. Of course it doesn't end by getting in there - the aim is to go as far as possible, albeit that we know it is tough, no matter who we are playing. Yesterday was a nail biter (of course!) but the lads did what they have done all season and dug deep to get the win we were all wanting. A big week of preparation this week now before taking on a Knights team for the third time this season. With it being one win each to date, Saturday is the decider in more ways than one. We had a big following yesterday up in Cumbria and a big following the last time we played at York so it would be great to see as many fans as possible there on Saturday as the lads try to take us to somewhere we haven't been before - a semi final! A big thank you to everybody connected with the Women's team, who's season sadly finished yesterday with a 28-14 defeat, away at Hull FC. They have had a great season, making the Play Offs for the first time and winning the League Cup. It has been a season of big improvements this year and here's to more of the same next time around. We are proud of you all. Friday night also sees the 35th Anniversary dinner of the club being the first ever winners of the World Club Challenge. A great night to be had and the last few remaining tickets are available until for the next few hours.... #COYV #together #playoffs #women'steam #wccdinner #excitement

It's going to be a nail biter! After losing a real battle with Toulouse Olympique in awful conditions on Saturday night by 18-12 the upshot is that we need to go to Barrow Raiders this coming Sunday and get a win, to try and ensure we get into the top six and therefore make the end of season Play Offs. Saturday night , under the lights, was an arm wrestle from minute one, and, although we played really well in the first half, and held a 12-0 lead, we were simply not able to keep it up in the second half. In fairness to Toulouse, they hung in the game, similar to what we have done all season, and despite playing in conditions they are certainly not used to, they managed to score, what proved to be the winning try in the 75th minute to get themselves a win that helps them in their quest to finish second but which puts the pressure on us to make the top six. Of course we are up for that challenge but we know it is no gimme but with the backing of the Vikings faithful, we know we can do it. The club also wants to thank everybody that made the effort to make the game after the rain started to come down from about an hour prior to kick off and then continued , not only for the whole of the game, but also the rest of the night. One more week of the regular season, one more big effort. Saturday was also our inclusion fixture and it was great to see Colostomy UK playing Chorley Panthers in a curtain raiser. Meanwhile our LDSL squad were over at Castleford Tigers for a festival. Great ot see so many people enjoying this great game of ours! #COYV #rugbyleague #determined #onemorepush #inclusion

As preparations continue to ramp up for the 2025 season, the Vikings are looking for a new Head of Strength and Conditioning coach to join our team. If you are looking for a new challenge and to be part of a journey with a club get in touch. #sandc #getonthebus #journey #together

The Vikings lost by 30-14 over in Doncaster in what was, arguably, our worst performance of the season. Injury to Jordan Johnstone last week meant we only had one recognised hooker with Max Roberts filling in as a replacement yesterday and with Zac Bardsley-Rowe being suspended, we went into the game with players being moved around again. On a wet afternoon in South Yorkshire, the home side were running in hard and it was a while before the Vikings could get into the match. All in all, it was not a good afternoon, but we are still in fifth position, albeit with a tough home game to come this Saturday evening, when we entertain Toulouse Olympique, kick off 6pm. The games certainly don't get any easier but we need to roll our sleeves up and get stuck in. There is still plenty to play for this season! #COYV #together #determined #finalpush

The team fell to a 12-6 home defeat to York Knights yesterday. We can have no complaints as the York side were very much up for it and we never really got going to the point where you thought we might kick on and win the game. Needless to say, although we didn't win, the effort was still very much there, but yesterday it needed more than effort to get us over the line. York are a good side and are now getting players back, which makes them a danger and their recent form proves that. For us, an injury to Jordan Johnstone early on didn't help and we will need to see how serious it is at training tomorrow. Results went for us, which was a help though, with both Sheffield and Featherstone both losing. We now go to Doncaster this week, who had an excellent win away at Batley yesterday. Another tough game but it is all about what we do on the day. Thank you to all those fans who braved the weather yesterday to get behind the team. #COYV #together #determined #rugbyleague

It was another winning Sunday over in Batley yesterday as the Vikings came out on the right end of a 12-8 scoreline at Mount Pleasant. The team played downhill in the first half and with only a 6-2 lead a lot of people were probably thinking the worst. This team don't think like that, however, and a Jack Owen's try, converted by Tom Gilmore, took us to 12-2 and eased some nerves. Although the Bulldogs scored a converted try to make it 12-8, the determination from the team to defend was so pleasing to watch. The upshot was a win that proved we can win when not at our best. The qualities this squad possess go way beyond skill. Yesterday proved that. The immediate reward was a move up to fourth place. This Sunday sees the next "big" game when we entertain York, who are making a determined push for the top six. It would be great to see as many Vikings as possible there to cheer the lads on as possible - they deserve it. Thank you also to the large number of fans who made the trip to Yorkshire yesterday, we are sure you enjoyed it, in the end! #COYV #determined #rugbyleague #defence

It has been another great day at the DCBL Stadium today. It started off with our under 11s, 12s,14s and 16s Elite Development Programme teams playing matches. We started this initiative a couple of months ago with the aim of providing a chance for local lads to pull on the Vikings shirt. We have had 280 kids take part in the scheme and it has gone from strength to strength with 26 local coaches and 13 Community clubs all playing their part. This is our future and we are working hard to make it a bright one. Well done to everybody. Our Vikings Venom minis and pro squad continue to make great strides, another real plus for the club. On the field, the lads put in a near perfect performance in the first half to go in 19-0 against a team that we have traditionally struggled against and despite a mad ten minutes where the Eagles scored 16 unanswered points, the 2024 Vikings again showed what they are about, by wrestling the momentum back from Sheffield and finishing up 35-20 winners. 5 games still to go but we are feeling confident, and rightly so. Thank you to everybody for your support today, long may it continue as we rebuild the foundations of this club. #COYV #determined #together #confident

Tickets for the Widnes Vikings End of Season Dinner are now on sale, priced at £25 per person. The event takes place on Wednesday 18th September in the Bridge Suite at the DCBL Stadium and includes a two-course meal. The Vikings First Team squad and staff will be in attendance, along with Club Partners and supporters, as we present our season awards. Supporters wishing to attend the event can buy tickets now via our online platform and will be sent an E-Ticket via email after completing their purchase. Those with special dietary requirements should contact the club with the relevant dietary information. Please also be aware that the dress code for this event is smart casual. Buy your tickets now for our End of Season Dinner via the link at the bottom of this post. Event Details Date: Wednesday 18th September Venue: Bridge Suite, DCBL Stadium Arrival: 7pm Start Time: 7:30pm Dress Code: Smart Casual Food: Two-course Meal Ticket price: £25 per person https://lnkd.in/er4Wa5ja

The Vikings lost 36-12 at high flying Wakefield Trinity yesterday. On and off the pitch it was plain to see that Trinity are a club on the rise and they have made no secret of their intention to get back into Super League at the first attempt. Our Vikings certainly made a fist of it for the first hour, after which the loss of Nathan Wilde early in the first half and then Ryan Lannon at half time, caught up with us and we weren't able to stem the tide. Big Shane Grady came to the aid of the club by training last week as we knew we were going to be short in the second row, but none of us, especially him, thought he was going to be playing for 60 odd minutes against a full time team! Fantastic effort for his home town club. Results elsewhere demonstrated that this years top six, whoever they end up being, will certainly have earned the right to be there. Every round is throwing up some surprises! This Bank Holiday weekend we entertain the Sheffield Eagles, who currently sit in third place but a Vikings win would see us only a point behind. Easier said than done but definitely achievable for this squad, full of desire. #COYV #together #final push #rugbyleague