The current board headed by James Rule failed to heed the mistakes of the 2017 season and further recruitment to the squad was extremely poor. Having finished third in the table, Widnes beat Liverpool 10–9 but lost to Hull FC, in the championship final. In 2010 12,265 fans attended the Challenge Cup Semi final as Warrington Wolves cruised to victory 54-12 verses Catalans Dragons. One such player was Martin Offiah, who in 1987–88 scored a club record 42 tries. [8], In 2013 local businessman Peter Littler signed a naming rights sponsorship deal as the Stadium became the Select Security Stadium [9], Since 2013 the Stadium has been the host venue for the British Drum Corps Championships which are held each September. List of rugby league test matches played at the Halton Stadium.[12]. Widnes' tenancy in the Co-operative Championship culminated in September 2011 with a fifth place league finish, and a first round playoff defeat of 36–20 by Sheffield Eagles at Bramall Lane. Stephen Vaughan quit as chairman of Widnes at the start of 2007 and stepped down from the club's board of directors,[7] placing the club's season into a 'boom or bust' scenario. The club's home ground is Halton Stadium. This placed Widnes top of the Super League table, heading into the Easter fixtures. 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. Vics won both games. Ultimately, Offload is aimed at improving the mental fitness of men within our local community, meaning that an interest in rugby league is not needed to attend. The 1980s started with a Wembley win over Hull Kingston Rovers in 1980–81. Runcorn F.C. Widnes won the 2007 Northern Rail Cup Final with a 54–6 victory over Whitehaven at Bloomfield Road stadium[8] and went on to reach the National League Grand Final at the end of the season. This was necessary as the joint venture companies arrangements were not performing as expected. In 2017 the team finished bottom but avoided relegation by beating Catalans Dragons and the Million Pound Game. The Vikings Storm Cheerleaders will be performing. The team went through the season unbeaten at home in the league. A third trip to Wembley came in 1937, with an 18–5 win over Keighley. Widnes Vikings RLFC The Widnes Vikings are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire that plays in the Betfred Championship. 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, Leeds. Widnes Rugby League Football Club had a number of grounds before settling at Lowerhouse Lane in 1895. Widnes also installed a fourth generation artificial pitch (or ipitch as it became known) during the off season, making them the first team in modern day rugby league to not play on a traditional grass pitch. Steve McCormack was re-appointed as Head Coach,[12] and the club were re-admitted into National League 1. Since 2013 the stadium has also been used as the venue for the Drum Corps United Kingdom "British Drum Corps Championships". Widnes Vikings, Halton Stadium, Lower House Lane, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 7DZ This lack of ambition and value for money has resulted in fans walking away from the club in their droves. 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 and was also renamed from Naughton Park to the Halton Community Stadium. (later Widnes RLFC Ltd) but when financial difficulties set in they sold the ground to Halton Borough Council in 1995. Keith Elwell began his run of 242 consecutive appearances at Wembley in the 1976–77 Challenge Cup Final, including two as a substitute. Sessions have been limited to six people due to current local lockdown restrictions, which is why there will now be two sessions – the first running from 6pm-6:30pm followed by a second session at 7pm-7:45pm. As the home of the mighty Widnes Vikings, the stadium has been a firm cornerstone of the local community since it was built 125 years ago. This sports ground and event centre is home to various teams, including the Widnes Vikings, Halton Spartans, and the Widnes Football Club. Those wanting to join the sessions will be required to email Sean Mellor on [email protected] in order to secure your place, and participants must only arrive at Main Reception five minutes before the relevant session starts. Food costs are not included in the Executive Suite price, Outdoor balcony with at least eight seats. Fully furnished Executive Suite with tables, chairs and satellite TV. Widnes Football Club had a number of grounds before settling at Lowerhouse Lane in 1884/85 on a site a few hundred yards north of the current location. obtained a lease for land on which they laid out a new ground (the Naughton Park/Halton Stadium site). The Farnworth & Appleton Cricket Club was formed in 1871 and four years later the members decided to embrace the burgeoning football code. Although they were not treated to the best of games Leeds eventually found the breakthrough with 10 minutes to go when Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink cut inside two defenders and curled his right foot shot past the dive of John O'Toole.[1]. During the 2011 Super League Season, St. Helens played their home games at the stadium. For other uses, see, Players earning international caps whilst at Widnes, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Widnes Field 12 Local Players – 1930 Challenge Cup Final", "Rugby's pounds 87m deal gives Murdoch transfer veto", "Cantillon sees Widnes to brink of elite", "New Widnes owner Steve O'Connor: I will bring back glory days", "Widnes Vikings owner Steve O'Connor: I had to rescue hometown club", "It was a difficult decision – RFL chief", "Paul Cullen appointed head coach by Widnes Vikings", "Sport: Latest Football, Boxing, Rugby League and Cricket News – Liverpool Echo", https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/28464023, http://www.sportinglife.com/rugby-league/news/article/480/9927945/super-8s-qualifiers-championship-shield-fixtures-schedule-results, "Widnes Vikings: Fundraising for Widnes Vikings approaches £50,000 in bid to stave off liquidation threat", "James Rule gives an update as he steps down at Widnes Vikings", "Widnes Vikings go into administration and are deducted 12 points by RFL", "Widnes Vikings: RFL accepts new takeover deal but still imposes 12-point penalty", "Rugby League World Cup 2017 – RLWC.com | Facebook", "Richie Barnett – Career Stats & Summary", "Gary Middlehurst – Career Stats & Summary", "Chris Percival – Career Stats & Summary", "Stephen Rowlands – Career Stats & Summary", "Matthew Whitaker – Career Stats & Summary", Widnes Vikings Fans Forums – RugbyLeague.org, Super League Ultimate 13: Grand Final Team, Rugby Football League Championship Second Division, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Widnes_Vikings&oldid=982206382, Founder members of the Northern Rugby Football Union, Short description is different from Wikidata, All articles with links needing disambiguation, Articles with links needing disambiguation from January 2020, Articles needing additional references from August 2017, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Widnes Vikings Rugby League Football Club, 1929–30, 1936–37, 1963–64, 1974–75, 1978–79, 1980–81, 1983–84, 1979–80, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1945–46, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1990-91, The Parcel Centre (Home) / Electrod UK (Away), Black shoulders fade into Black & White stripes, Fastest Hat trick in a match: 10 minutes by Danny Hulme vs, 108 Derek `Mick` George 1971–72 – 1981–82, Highest attendance (Naughton Park): 24,205 vs, Highest attendance vs a national touring team: 14,666 vs, This page was last edited on 6 October 2020, at 19:24. The 2016 season saw the Vikings put together a number of early exciting performances, including defeating the previous season's champions Leeds Rhinos 56–12. During this period, the club reverted to selling its players to richer teams. He scored an extraordinary try to win the game, dribbling the ball from inside his own half. A minimum Eight tickets to all Widnes Vikings matches held at the Stadium, Use of the Executive Box 365 days of the year, subject to agreed conditions, As a minimum space for a 3m x 1m advertising space for hoarding in front of the Executive Box, On site catering will provide all requirements whether buffet or from our package range of meals, which can be served in your Suite. In the following season, Widnes again reached the Northern Rail Cup Final but were beaten 25–24 by Batley Bulldogs. Executive Suites at Stadium are not just for match days, they can be hired for one-off events or on an annual basis for all your business and leisure needs. Other than Widnes club games, the stadium also saw Widnes play host to various international touring teams from 1907–1990. Back at Wembley in 1950, the team was beaten 19–0 by Warrington. Take Speke Road (A562) and follow signs for Widnes (A562) Following brown signs to the Stadium; At traffic lights, go left and then next left (McDonald’s on the right) Take 2nd exit off mini-roundabout into Lowerhouse Lane. Whether for business or pleasure, there’s a match day package to suit all needs and requirements. Later in the month Workington Town won the replay 10–0. Thirteen Widnes players were killed during the conflict. Phone: 0151 510 6000. This was done without O’Connor fulfilling his promise to the club and town that the club would not be entering Super League to “Make up the numbers”.