HUNDREDS of fans turned out at the Auto Quest Stadium to welcome home the triumphant Vikings after their spectacular win over Oldham in the grand final.

It was a chance for the Widnes faithful to meet their team's stars close-up as the players signed autographs and chatted with fans.

The Grand Final trophy was paraded around the stadium and fans had the opportunity to have their photographs taken with the silverware that had eluded the Vikings for almost a decade.

It was a day when chairman Tony Chambers announced the news that coach Neil Kelly had signed a new two-year contract with the club and would lead them into the new Super League season.

The news was particularly poignant after press speculation that Kelly would leave the Vikings in order to lead arch rivals Warrington Wolves in the new campaign.

It was also the day when Chambers assured fans that he was confident about the strength of the Vikings' Super League bid and just one week later the Chairman's predictions proved correct as Widnes were welcomed by the Rugby League into their elite.

Just 12 years ago Widnes, then known as the Chemics, were World Club Champions.

Give Kelly's heroes a couple of seasons and this time it could be the Vikings who rule the world and put Widnes firmly back on the rugby league map where they belong.