Skipper Smith hoping RFL can do Vikings a favour

Dec 12 2007 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

WIDNES skipper Mark Smith hopes the RFL will repay the Vikings by granting them a franchise for 2009 after dumping them out of Super League to accommodate the French in 2005.

More than two years ago the Vikings were controversially relegated from Super League after RFL chiefs made the unprecedented decision to drop two teams to National League instead of one.

Widnes’s relegation gave Catalan Dragons an opening in Super League and now Smith is keeping his fingers crossed the RFL give Widnes a place back in the top flight.

He said: “I’m the only player left from that relegated side and it really hurt to be relegated – we were all gutted.

“I would like to think the RFL would look at the new regime at Widnes and see what the new club is about and give us one of the places.“

The Vikings begin the season with a nine-point deduction after going into administration following the Grand Final defeat at the hands of Castleford Tigers and Smith says the club is on course to reach its goal under Steve O’Connor and head coach Steve McCormack.

He said: “We will be strong next season and judging by the training so far we really think we can go well.

“Steve McCormack has put a strong squad together here and it will challenge any of the teams in this division.”