Widnes Vikings

Widnes Vikings

Widnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Stobart Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight from 2012 onwards. They play their home games at Stobart Stadium Halton.

Widnes were one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895, making them one of the world's first rugby league teams. Their traditional nickname is "The Chemics" after the main industry in Widnes, but the club also use their more modern nickname in "The Vikings". They have a strong local rivalry with Warrington Wolves and before the Super League era Widnes were one of the strongest teams in British rugby league. They were described the "Cup Kings" after going to Wembley nearly every year in the late 1970s and early 1980s. By 1989 Widnes became the first official World Club Champions, by beating the Australian champions Canberra Raiders.

Following a brief spell in Super League (2002–05), the club entered into Administration in 2007 and was later purchased by Steve O'Connor, a local businessman, who had just sold his business to the Stobart Group. He invested heavily into his hometown club, regaining Superleague status by 2012.