Rugby League: Lakers coach in link to Widnes

Oct 29 2007 by Ian Cheveau, Liverpool Daily Post

DONCASTER Lakers coach John Stankevitch could be set for a surprise move back to Widnes Vikings as head coach – only six months after he quit the club.

Sources close to the club claim the Lakers coach is among the front-runners for the Widnes vacancy, alongside former Rochdale coach Darren Abram, who still lives in the borough, and ex-Salford coach Karl Harrison.

Stankevitch’s name has been bandied about since the departure of Steve McCormack last week, as revealed in the Daily Post last Tuesday, and it appears the former Vikings star could be interested in a return to Halton Stadium.

Stankevitch, who at the age of 27 is the youngest head coach in rugby league, says he is “honoured” to be linked with his home town club.

He said: “It’s an honour to be talked about for the Widnes head coach’s job. I never expected this to happen in this short space of time, though.

“Things have turned on its head at Widnes lately and it will be a big rebuilding job, which would be needed there for whoever the new owners get in.”

Stankevitch, a former Widnes player and coach who was forced to retire following a serious shoulder injury two years ago after winning every honour in the game with St Helens, was headhunted by the Lakers midway through last season after spending more than three years at the Vikings, the last two as a coach.

The Lakers plunged into administration last season after running into financial difficulties and, like Widnes now, they were forced to release all their players and coaching staff from their contracts.

The Dons were deducted six league points – the likely penalty the Vikings will face in 2008.

‘Stanky’ took over the club when it was firmly rooted to the bottom of the table and despite a late rally of results he couldn’t save them from National League One relegation.

Stankevitch added: “I’m happy here but it’s always nice to be linked with a club like Widnes.”