Rugby League: Consortium aims to save Vikings

Oct 16 2007 by Ian Cheveau, Liverpool Daily Post

A WIDNES-based business consortium claims to have submitted a firm offer to buy troubled Widnes Vikings which could propel them back to Super League.

Three former Vikings directors, led by local businessman Lol Ogburn, have put together a business plan and strategy which they say could save the club from freefalling into rugby league obscurity.

The club was put up for sale last week and existing board members have plans to put a package together to save it.

Mr Ogburn claims that his package has been received by administrator Jonathan Avery-Gee and now he and his former colleagues Alan Gregson and Graham Ashton are awaiting the green light to enable them to begin major restructuring work and ‘get the club back on its feet’.

Ogburn claimed: “For too long this club has been run like it was in the 1970s. Not a lot has changed since then but now things can move forward and it’s time the club got some new blood in with fresh ideas.”

The Vikings are now clear of all debt but Ogburn claims the decision to go into administration could have been saved by 11th-hour intervention.

He added: “I was part of the board that made the decision to go into administration. But I was the one who voted against it. It was a 3-1 decision. The other members went with the independent advice but I knew we had 30 days to appeal on a VAT bill and I wanted to give the club a chance. The decision was made and there was nothing I could do. I wasn’t happy and I walked out the meeting as I knew the implications it would have.”

Ogburn claims meetings with Halton Borough Council have already been pencilled in for next week and as part of his deal he has outlined a plan to bring in £200,000 in sponsorship deals.

He has also appealed to Vikings fans to attend a meeting on Friday at 8pm at the Village Club in Widnes where they can see the consortium’s ideas first hand.