GIVE US A CHANCE (From Warrington Guardian)

GIVE US A CHANCE

WIDNES have unveiled plans which they hope will take them into Super League next year.

At a press conference on Tuesday, chairman Tony Chambers outlined the club's intention to bid for a place in next season's Super League.

This is the first year that existing clubs can bid for an automatic franchise place, competition previously having been restricted to new clubs only, with Gateshead being formed to compete in this year's league.

The deadline for completed applications is May 31, and Mr Chambers is hoping that there is a level playing field between Widnes and rumoured new clubs in Edinburgh, Dublin and South Wales.

"All we ask is that we are treated fairly and equally," said the chairman, "We are challenging them to allow us to enter the Super League."

When the West stand is finished the Auto Quest will have a near !2,000 seat capacity - augmenting facilities at a club with the highest average gate outside the top division.

To fill this on a regular basis the club needs top flight rugby, with Mr Chambers especially keen to tap into the South Merseyside area for new fans.

Meanwhile the club has 'adopted' cancer charity Halton Haven.

Fundraising will start at the home game with Hunslet, where the Vikings will donate £1 for every fan above the 2,500 mark.

Playing on the team's infamous away record, the directors will give £100 every time the team wins away from the Auto Quest, with the players donating the same amount every time they lose.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.