Widnes link up with Workington

Widnes have hooked up with Championship side Workington, in the latest Super League partnership with the lower leagues.

Following the re-structuring of the academy structure, clubs have been encouraged to forge partnerships, and this link-up will enable up to five Vikings players to be dual-registered or loaned to the Cumbrians.

Workington chairman David Bowden said: “We are thrilled to strike up an exciting new partnership with the Widnes Vikings for our return to the Championship. The more formal restructuring of the relationships between Championship and Super League clubs meant it was critical we have a practical link up that will help both clubs. 

“Our initial discussions couldn’t really have gone any better with Denis Betts and James Rule outlining their thoughts which were a virtual match to the way we see things.”

Workington played in the first season of Super League back in 1996, some six years before Widnes made their Super League bow, back in 2002.

The Vikings returned to the top flight for 2012, while Workington earned promotion to the Championship.

Widnes CEO James Rule said: “We are very excited by the potential of this partnership. In addition to the obvious on field benefits for both clubs we also have an opportunity to grow our respective audiences and share best practice from our operations.”