WIDNES VIKINGS play one of their most important matches in its recent history on Thursday night, when they take on Halifax at the Stobart Stadium, live in front of Sky TV cameras.

It is significant in the Co-operative Championship as they are two of the leading clubs and have much to play for in what will be a tough and close title race.

But there are much more significant reasons why this game is so crucial.

The Vikings have focused on this game to showcase their Super League aspirations.

For many people, the decision to award a licence in the last round of bidding to the then Celtic Crusaders (now simply the Crusaders, playing out of Wrexham) at the expense of the Widnes Vikings was barmy.

But time moves on quickly and by then end of this year it is expected that a decision will have been taken on the 14 teams which will be awarded licences for the period 2012-14.

The Vikings – and especially chairman Steve O’Connor – swallowed their disappointment and put all their energies into building their squad, recruiting a first class coaching team and growing their business under the leadership of their chief executive, Alex Bonney.

That development is well underway and the club is gaining real momentum as it looks to not only get into Super League but to have a successful team and a sustainable business when they are there.

But the Vikings take their role within the community very seriously.

They are also using the Halifax match to raise money for the Everyman charity, devoted to the issue of men’s cancers, which includes the players will be wearing a very special kit for the evening.

Naturally, the club are hoping for the biggest possible crowd so that as much money as possible can be generated for Everyman.

It is a worthy cause and further evidence of the Vikings’ excellent work in the community and beyond.

Interestingly, 24 hours later the Crusaders also play a televised fixture, against Catalan Dragons. While the Vikings are quite rightly working only to make their own plans come to fruition, it will provide a very interesting contrast between the two clubs.

Wouldn’t it be fantastic if one of our own championship clubs could attract a bigger crowd than a rival Super League club, as a direct comparison, live on TV, from one night to the next night?

The Vikings are a natural Super League club with a distinguished history and I know that sports fans all over Merseyside will be cheering them on in their fight to return one of the game’s foundation clubs to its rightful place at the top table.