Widnes doesn't finish here!

Jul 24 2008 by Paul Glynn, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

THE FUTURE starts now for Widnes Vikings – according to head coach Steve McCormack.

McCormack, who has spent much of the week rallying his troops after Tuesday’s Super League licence rejection, now believes the disappointment will spur his men on to end the season with a flourish.

McCormack said: “We are all devastated and have to congratulate the teams that are in Super League.

“But all I’m bothered about now is that we’ve got a season to finish off and Widnes doesn’t finish here.

“This is a fantastic club that has come back from the dead before.

“The fans here live for the club and they have survived adversity in the past.

“I believe that this will now galvanise us and be the start of something big.”

The Vikings coach is looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead, now the club’s immediate future has been determined.

McCormack admits one such challenge could be keeping hold of some of the club’s best young players, who will be highly coveted by Super League sides.

“There is a danger that Super League clubs will try and get some of our younger players, but this a great club and players want to come and play here,” he insisted.

“National League One has got bigger and better and we are certainly an asset to that.

“Since I’ve been here, we’ve been handed challenge after challenge, so this is just another one and the players will be ready for it.”

He added: “From our point of view, we believe that we are one of the 14 best rugby league teams and don’t feel that the club could have done any more.

“I’m proud to be associated with what we’ve achieved in the past nine months and we’ve made some massive improvements.”

The Vikings players must now prepare for the visit of Dewsbury Rams on Sunday in The Co-operative National League One.

McCormack poured praise on his battle-weary players for producing some of their best rugby of the season during Sunday’s epic draw with Halifax.

McCormack said: “Its not for the faint hearted being Widnes coach!

“I asked for more aggression and intensity last week and I think we got that, so I see it as two points gained.

“The first 40-60 minutes was as good as we’ve played all season.”

He added: “The penalty count was 13-2 against us, which was a bit annoying and out of our control.

“So we feel a little hard done to and we were lucky to get a draw in the end. But Halifax are a very good side and not near the top of the table for nothing.

“We’re disappointed not to have won the game but this is a difficult place to come and we are getting better.”

The Vikings supremo singled out youngster Matt Strong after a debut try and superb all-round performance.

“He’s done well in the reserves so we threw him in today and he got a good try,” added McCormack.

Widnes are likely to be without the injured Richard Fletcher and Adel Fellous this weekend.

Fellous has returned home to France because of a family illness.

New signing Gareth Morton, who will be with the club until the end of the season, could well be thrown straight into the side.

McCormack said: “Gareth is a versatile back-line player and an excellent goal kicker, who I know from his time as a Scotland international.”