It was a mixed bag for Widnes Vikings in 2021, finishing 8th in the Betfred Championship which saw them comfortably avoid any threat of relegation but never really make a serious push for the Play-Offs.
The Vikings have been competing in the Betfred Championship since their relegation from the Betfred Super League at the end of the 2019 season, although still hold aspirations of returning in the near future.
Head Coach Simon Finnigan enjoyed two spells as a player with Widnes and is now entering his second full season at the helm. After a successful two-year spell with Newcastle Thunder which saw the club earn promotion from Betfred League 1, he will be hoping to replicate his success at the DCBL Stadium.
Widnes came out on top against fellow Betfred Championship side Batley Bulldogs 24-18 in Danny Craven’s Testimonial Fixture which could be an indicator of what to expect from the Vikings throughout 2022.
Transfers in:
- Matty Fozard (London Broncos)
- Aaron Brown (Sheffield Eagles)
- Tyler Dupree (Oldham)
- Liam Bent (Oldham)
- Olly Davies (Sheffield Eagles)
- Matt Fleming (Dewsbury Rams)
- Brad Holroyd (Workington Town)
- Levy Nzoungou (Bradford Bulls)
Transfers out:
- Jayden Hatton (Leigh Centurions)
- Deon Cross (Salford Red Devils)
- Paul Clough (Retired)
- Logan Tomkins (Retired)
- Matt Cook (Retired)
- Lee Jewitt (Retired)
- Connor Dwyer
- Owen Buckley
- Calum O’Neill
- Josh Wilde
- Lewis Else (Swinton Lions)
- Daniel Hill (St Helens)
One to Watch
One of the most consistent Betfred Championship players around over the past ten years, the versatile Aaron Brown heads for Widnes in 2022.
Brown came through the ranks at Leeds Rhinos and, after winning the club's Academy Player of the Year Award in 2012, he headed for Dewsbury Rams in search of a first team spot.
The now 29-year-old, who is a Postman in his day job, enjoyed a superb seven seasons with the Rams, scoring 46 tries in 143 appearances in one of the club's most successful recent periods, before swapping the West Yorkshire side for Sheffield Eagles ahead of the 2019 season.
Traditionally a Loose Forward, Brown has since emerged as a player who can operate almost anywhere on the pitch - he scored a hat-trick while operating at centre in Sheffield's 1895 Cup win against Widnes at Wembley in 2019.
He could prove to be an astute addition to Widnes for 2022 as they look to improve on last year's eighth-placed finish.
FULL SQUAD:
Jack Owens, Ollie Brookes, Jake Spedding, Ste Tyrer, Ryan Ince, Danny Craven, Matty Smith, Owen Farnworth, Matty Fozard, Shane Grady, Sam Wilde, Adam Lawton, Kenny Baker, Joe Lyons, Aaron Brown, Tyler Dupree, Liam Bent, Matt Fleming, Olly Davies, Lloyd Roby, Dec Gregory, Joe Edge, Will Tilleke, Lewis Hulme, Brad Holroyd, Levy Nzoungou.
Widnes Vikings begin their Betfred Championship campaign at London Broncos on Sunday 30 January, 3pm!
