Widnes chief praises fans

Widnes Chief Executive Alex Bonney has praised the Vikings’ travelling support and urged them to head for Blackpool in their droves for the Northern Rail Cup Final against Batley Bulldogs on Sunday July 18.

Widnes secured their place in the Final with an emphatic 48-18 win at Keighley Cougars on Sunday and Bonney maintains that the Widnes fans had a massive part to play in the victory.

“They were like a fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth man and really gave us the edge at Cougar Park,” said Bonney.

“The players respond to the supporters and vica versa but there were times on Sunday when we really all were in perfect harmony! The players hear the vocal support when we go over and they want to repeat the adulation as often as possible.  It’s as simple as that!

“Our supporters have had to endure a very tough season so far with some indifferent performances and results but they’ve now been rewarded for their loyalty and commitment with a Cup final and the chance to spend a weekend in Blackpool!

“We do like playing at Bloomfield Road it seems with a 100 per cent record in recent years.

“We want to reclaim the trophy we won in 2009 and make it three final victories in four years. It’s also another significant step on the road to getting a Super League licence in 2012 and that’s a big consideration.

“It’s another step on the road to restoring this great Rugby League name into the highest echelons of the sport and the supporters have a big role to play in that.”