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However Peachey was sacked just a few months into the season by Chairman Steven Vaughan in order to make room under the salary cap for players such as Dennis Moran. Widnes recently put in a franchise application for the 2009 season and the result is yet to be announced but if it is successful the Widnes Vikings rugby club could be permanently in [[Super League (Europe)]].
However Peachey was sacked just a few months into the season by Chairman Steven Vaughan in order to make room under the salary cap for players such as Dennis Moran. Widnes recently put in a franchise application for the 2009 season and the result is yet to be announced but if it is successful the Widnes Vikings rugby club could be permanently in [[Super League (Europe)]].


[[Stephen Vaughan senior|Stephen Vaughan]] quit as chairman of Widnes Vikings and stepped down from the club's board of directors on the eve of their opening league game of the 2007 Co-operative National League season.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/6529459.stm]
[[Stephen Vaughan senior|Stephen Vaughan]] quit as chairman of Widnes Vikings and stepped down from the club's board of directors on the eve of their opening league game of the 2007 Co-operative National League season.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/6529459.stm]. Widnes won the 2007 [[National Rail Cup]] with a 54-6 victory over Whitehaven in the final in Blackpool.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/6899771.stm].


==Hall Of Fame==
==Hall Of Fame==

Revision as of 15:26, 15 July 2007

Widnes Vikings
File:Widnes 100x100 whiteback.jpg
Viking
Club information
Full nameWidnes Vikings Rugby League Football Club... aka "the Chemics"
ColoursBlack and white
Founded1873
Websitewww.widnesvikings.co.uk
Current details
Ground(s)
CompetitionNational League One

Widnes Vikings are a professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They play in the National League One.

Their traditional nickname is 'The Chemics' after the main industry in Widnes. They have a strong rivalry with Warrington Wolves and resisted the idea of merger with their rivals.

Before Super League they were one of the stronger teams in British rugby league but have generally struggled since then. They were dubbed "Cup Kings" after going to Wembley nearly every year in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

History

The early years

The club was formed in 1873, under the name of Farnworth & Appleton Cricket and Football Club. The name Widnes was adopted two years later. By the late 1870s the club was being referred to as 'The Chemicals' - later shortened to 'The Chemics'.

The first ground was on Albert Road behind what is now The Premier Wetherspoons pub and a short spell followed in the Simms Cross area. From around 1878-84 the club were based at the junction of Millfield/Peelhouse Lane, apart from season 1880/81 when they played on the Widnes Cricket Club ground at Lowerhouse Lane. From 1884-95 they rented a field at Lowerhouse Lane before moving to their third separate site on that road in October 1895. The first ever game at what later became Naughton Park was against Liversedge on Saturday 12 October 1895.

In 1895, Widnes were founder members of the Northern Union which broke away from the Rugby Football Union. Their first game was an away fixture against Runcorn which they lost 15-4.

During the early years, the club often had to sell players to balance the books. The strength of junior rugby league in the area meant the club had a steady stream of new players to offset any losses.

In 1902, the Lancashire and Yorkshire leagues were combined to form a second division, Widnes was added to the first division.

The team's first ever success came when they won the Lancashire League trophy in the 1919-20 season. However, the twenties saw the club almost go to the wall. Local rivals Warrington donated their share of the traditional Easter and Christmas derby matches to keep Widnes afloat in 1927-8.

In 1930, Widnes with 12 local-born players defied the odds to beat St Helens 10-3 to bring home the Challenge Cup.[1]

The Kingsway housing scheme threatened the loss of Widnes' ground. After several years of fund-raising during the great depression, £3,250 was raised to save the ground. This came with a stipulation that the ground could be sold only to the local council at the original price. The newly named Naughton Park was opened in 1932.

A major boost for the club was Widnes' first ever trip to the Challenge Cup final, staged at Wembley. Their opponents were St. Helens, Saints scored after 6 minutes to take a 3-0 lead, but Widnes hit back with a penalty try, a further try and a penalty to take a 10-3 half-time lead. A scoreless second half meant Widnes had won the cup.

Widnes became the first club to make two trips to Wembley, with a loss to Hunslet in the 1934 cup final.

In 1935-6, the team came close to being rugby league champions. Having finished third in the table, Widnes beat Liverpool 10-9 but lost to Hull, in the championship final. A third trip to Wembley came in 1937, with an 18-5 win over Keighley. The final was dubbed "McCue's Match" as the halfback played an important part in the win.

Widnes dropped out of the wartime Lancashire league in 1940-1 and did not return to league competiton until 1945-6.

Post war

Tommy McCue led the club to its first ever Lancashire cup win, with a 7-3 victory against Wigan in 1945.

Back at Wembley in 1950, the team was beaten 19-0 by Warrington. During this period, the club reverted to selling its players to richer teams.

Vince Karalius joined Widnes in 1962 and was appointed club captain. In his first season, Widnes finished third in the Championship, which equalled the club's best league placing. The following season, saw him lead his team to Wembley, where Widnes were Challenge Cup winners after they defeated 13 points to 5.

No team had ever played more games in reaching Wembley than Widnes in 1964. In the first round, two replays were necessary before beating Leigh. Liverpool were beaten in the second round, then Widnes played Swinton in front of 19,000 at Naughton Park. A 5-5 draw meant another replay, which was scoreless. A second replay was watched by 21,369 with Widnes winning 15-3. The semi-final against Castleford was drawn 7-7. 28,732 spectators watched the replay, which Widnes won. A Wembley crowd of 84,488 saw Widnes win the Challenge cup for the third time with a 13-5 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers. This was the Chemics first trophy success in eighteen years.

The seventies saw the first really outstanding Widnes team. A host of young local players developed into the "Cup Kings", a golden age for the club. The first cup-final was a loss in the 1971-2 Lancashire Cup. The following two seasons, Widnes reached the finals of the BBC2 Floodlit trophy. The first success came in the 1975 Lancashire Cup which Widnes won by beating Salford that season. They also won the 1975 Challenge Cup final 14-7 versus Warrington at Wembley. This was the first time in their history that Widnes had won two trophies in the same season.

Widnes visited Wembley in the following two seasons, losing to St. Helens and then Leeds. However, this was made up for by victories in the Lancashire Cup and John Player Trophy. The season after this (1977-78) saw their first league championship. The team went through the season unbeaten at home in the league. There were also trips to the John Player and Premiership finals.

Keith Elwell began his run of 242 consecutive appearances at Wembley in the 1977 RL Challenge Cup final, including two as a substitute. He finished his run at Hull on 26 September 1982, which ended his run of appearances. This record for consecutive appearances for one club stands to this day.

Doug Laughton took over the job of team coach when Frank Myler retired from the position in 1978. The 1978-79 season saw no less than four cups come to Widnes - the BBC2 floodlit trophy, Lancashire Cup, Premiership and a win at Wembley over Wakefield Trinity in front of a crowd of 93,218. Widnes beat the Australian tourists in 1978.

The 1979-80 season saw Widnes beat Bradford in the Premiership final, but come second to them in the league and John Player Trophy. The Lancashire cup was won for the fifth time in the seventies.

The eighties started with a Wembley win over Hull Kingston Rovers in 1980-81. The season after this, Widnes again returned to Wembley, to face Hull FC. Widnes led 14-6 with less than 20 minutes to go, but the game finished 14-14 and Hull won the replay 18-9 at Elland Road. Widnes kept their record of winning a cup every season by defeating Hull FC 23-8 in the Premiership final. The next season saw Hull again beaten by Widnes in the Premiership final.

Vince Karalius returned to the club for a short spell in 1983/84 leading a strong Widnes side to the finals of the Lancashire Cup and John Player Trophy and another Wembley victory appearance 19-6 against Wigan.

Modern era

Doug Laughton returned to the club in January 1986 and began a series of signings of players from other league clubs and from rugby union. One such player was Martin Offiah, who in 1987-88 scored a club record 42 tries. The team went on to win the championship that season, clinching it with a 50 point win away over Hunslet. Widnes then beat St. Helens in the Premiership Final at Old Trafford, a game in which Alan Tait made his debut.

The 1988-89 season saw the club sign rugby union star Jonathan Davies from Llanelli for £225,000. Wigan were beaten in the Charity Shield but had their revenge in the Regal Trophy Final. The Championship came down to the last game of the season, a capacity crowd at Naughton Park saw Widnes beat Wigan 32-18 to win the title for the second year running. The Premiership was won again, with over 40,000 at Old Trafford to see Widnes beat Hull 18-10.

The 1989/90 season saw Widnes play at Anfield, beating Wigan 27-22. A trip to France to play Le Pontet saw Widnes chosen as the Northern Hemisphere representatives to meet Australia's Grand Final winners. Canberra took a 12-0 lead but were then swept aside as Widnes stormed home 30-18 to become the first official World club champions.

However, financial problems riddled the club in the early 1990s to balance the books, over 25 first team players were sold to other teams. This resulted in the club sinking to 12th in the division one table, avoiding relegation.

When the RFL announce that a new 12 team Superleague was to be formed a chaotic period ensued in which the club was out, then in, then out, then in merged with local rivals Warrington and then finally out again as they finished below the cut-off point of 10th in the existing top flight. Further player and coaching departures ensued and the club struggled in the new first division, the club's first ever finish in the relegation zone followed. They spent the next 5 years in the Northern Ford Premiership.

During this time, the playing arena was rebuilt and the old stands, terraces and facilities were demolished to be replaced with a state-of-the-art all seater stadium. This was also re-named from Naughton Park to the Halton Community Stadium.

In 1999 Widnes narrowly missed out on a place in the grand final. The 2000 season was one of transition with head coach Colin Whitfield being sacked and replaced by David Hulme being appointed as his successor. The Vikings finished off a poor season in 8th place in the NFP.

They were finally promoted to Superleague under coach Neil Kelly in 2001 beating Oldham Roughyeds 24-12 in the NFP Grand Final[2]. Their debut season in Super League was in 2002, Superleague VII, and the Vikings surprised everyone by narrowly missing out on a play-off place, and finishing 7th.

Frank Endacott arrived at Widnes as coach. The following season saw them consolidate with a 9th place finish, but in 2004 they avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth, with Castleford's defeat to Wakefield on the final day of the season saving Widnes' fate. But they had no such luck in 2005, and with 2 teams being relegated in 2005, Widnes' job was made tougher, and they eventually went back down to the second tier of the English game.

Since relegation, Widnes parted company with coach Frank Endacott and the majority of their under-achieving Superleague squad. They have built a new team in preparation for the 2006 season in National League 1 under coach Steve McCormack, who led Whitehaven to two consecutive NL1 Grand Finals. The club have also pulled off a major coup in securing the services of Australian full back David Peachey, who kept his word to join the club, despite its relegation.

However Peachey was sacked just a few months into the season by Chairman Steven Vaughan in order to make room under the salary cap for players such as Dennis Moran. Widnes recently put in a franchise application for the 2009 season and the result is yet to be announced but if it is successful the Widnes Vikings rugby club could be permanently in Super League (Europe).

Stephen Vaughan quit as chairman of Widnes Vikings and stepped down from the club's board of directors on the eve of their opening league game of the 2007 Co-operative National League season.[3]. Widnes won the 2007 National Rail Cup with a 54-6 victory over Whitehaven in the final in Blackpool.[4].

Hall Of Fame

The Widnes Hall of Fame was instituted in 1992 with thirteen members. Any former Widnes player who was retired from playing was eligible. There have been occasional suggestions that the Hall of Fame might be expanded but so far the club has not taken this step.

Some years ago the club organised a poll, via the local press, with a view to adding three more players but the response from the public was very poor and the highest polling players (Tony Myler, Kurt Sorensen and Stuart Wright) were not formally inducted.


The thirteen players who make up the current Hall of Fame are...

Mick Adams

Mick Burke

Keith Elwell

Fred Higgins

Jimmy Hoey

Arthur "Chick" Johnson

Vince Karalius

Doug Laughton

Tommy McCue

Harry Millington

Jim Mills

Frank Myler

Nat Silcock

Current Squad

2007 Squad (as of 21/11/06)

Honours

Records

Player records

100+ Tries

234 Mal Aspey  1964/65 - 1979/80 
199 Eric Hughes [Centre]  1969/70 - 1983/84   
181 Martin Offiah  1987/88 - 1990/91   
161 David Hulme  1980/81 - 1996 & 2000 - 2001   
151 Stuart Wright  1976/77 - 1986/87   
144 Frank Myler  1955/56 - 1967/68   
120 John Devereux  1989/90 - 1997   
118 Andy Currier  1983/84 - 1992/93 & 1997   
114 Phil Cantillon  1999 - 2003   
111 Johnny Gaydon  1961/62 - 1971/72   
110 William Thompson  1956/57 - 1964/65   
108 Derek `Mick` George  1971/72 - 1981/82   
107 Darren Wright  1985/86 - 1996   
106 Tommy McCue  1931/32 - 1948/49   
103 John Basnett  1981/82 - 1986/87   
102 William Reid  1909/10 - 1926/27   
101 Jimmy Hoey  1922/23 - 1934/35

150+ Goals

1072 Ray Dutton  1965/66 - 1977/78   
708 Mick Burke  1978/79 - 1986/87   
434 Jonathan Davies  1988/89 - 1992/93   
395 Jimmy Hoey  1922/23 - 1934/35   
389 Robert Randall  1960/61 - 1964/65   
383 Harry Dawson  1951/52 - 1962/63   
243 John Myler  1976/77 - 1988/89   
213 John Sale  1951/52 - 1957/58
212 Mick Nanyn 2006-present (as at 6 May 2007)  
209 Robin Whitfield  1961/62 - 1967/68   
207 Arthur Pimblett  1957/58 - 1961/62   
202 Mark Hewitt  1998 - 1999   
201 Andy Currier  1983/84 - 1992/93 & 1997   
195 Peter Topping  1927/28 - 1939/40
167 Colin Hutton  1945/46 - 1950/51   
162 Harry Taylor  1908/09 - 1921/22

Team records

Notable Former Players


Template:Rugby league NL1

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