Widnes earn Super League slot, wait goes on for Halifax

The Vikings, who were relegated from the top flight in 2005, got the nod ahead of Championship rivals Halifax and Barrow when the Rugby Football League’s board of directors made their announcement at the game’s Red Hall headquarters on the outskirts of Leeds.

The news will be especially sweet for Widnes chairman Steve O’Connor, who has poured more than £2m into the club in an attempt to transform their fortunes over the last three and a half years.

The Vikings were overlooked when the initial set of licences were awarded in 2008, losing out to Salford and Celtic Crusaders, but have worked tirelessly to ensure this year’s application would be accepted.

“Today is the culmination of a lot of work over the last three years but the job is not done, it only starts now,” said O’Connor, who has ambitious plans to make the club a force once again.

Yorkshire side Halifax must wait until July before finding out if their application has been successful.

One current Super League club is to lose its status in July, when if a second team is demoted, Halifax would be in line to earn franchise status in rubgy league’s premier tier.

A statement from Halifax read: “The board of Halifax RLFC, the 2010 Co-operative champions, are disappointed by the announcement to reward Widnes Vikings a 2012 franchise.

“However, they would like to stress their congratulations to Widnes Vikings for their success, and to now turn focus to the rest of the 2011 season and the final July decision.

“Although disappointed, the club’s application remains ‘live’, except that it will now be considered alongside the imminent applications by the 14 existing Super League clubs, for the remaining 13 places in Super League.

“Therefore we would wish to create a rallying call to the fans of Halifax RLFC, and the local public, to keep faith in the bid and to continue to back it.”