You may have noticed in recent weeks that ads have been removed from the website, and most notably the forum, in preparation for the launch of Widnes Rugby +, a new optional membership system (access will remain free).
Your help supports the ongoing independent coverage of Widnes Vikings, including the weekly podcast, exclusive interviews, regular news articles, opinion pieces and more.
I want to keep the content free to read for everyone, rather than behind a paywall, to help benefit the club and rugby league in general, so your support is vital in doing that.
With local newspaper coverage non-existent, no one else is providing communication or asking the questions you want the answers to.
Why should you support Widnes Rugby +?
I am not a big believer in paywalls, I feel that content should be free to access, but of course that presents issues when trying to make it sustainable in the current media environment
Instead of forcing people to pay, I hope that by creating some optional membership tiers with some benefits, might encourage those that can to help support.
Up to the summer of 2023, I was largely full time in rugby league journalism through Love Rugby League, but as a freelancer now it’s getting increasingly tough to fit everything in and make a living. I have been toying with setting up something like this for a while, so here we are!
I have followed Widnes home and away for 25 years, largely as a fan. Over the past five years, I have commentated on games for BBC Radio Merseyside and will continue to do so. I was there in 2019 at the press conference that announced Widnes entering administration, asking the first 10 questions. With local newspaper coverage now virtually non-existent, without me there would be little if any independent coverage of the club. And without that, the club and rugby league disappears from the general conscience.
I want to keep producing the podcast, making it better, keep doing exclusive interviews and asking the questions that you want answers to.
As well, the site powers the Widnes Rugby Forum, which has been in many different guises in its 25 year existence; I inherited it from Trust in Widnes quite a few years ago after hosting it for them, and it continues to be a place for people to vent and share their opinion, as does the new Facebook page.
Anything that is donated can help to cover costs and help me do more content.
What is Widnes Rugby +?
There are three optional membership tiers for you to help support the site and the ongoing coverage, including the podcast, articles and forum, each with its own micro benefits.
Widnes Rugby + (£5 per month)
- Support more content creation
- Weekly email
- + Fan badge on your widnesrugby.com profile
- Keep website/forum pop-up ads free
- Direct Messages
- Your name on Widnes Rugby Fans tribute page
Widnes Rugby + Top Fan (£10 per month)
If you jump up to £10 per month, to take the Top Fan tier, you will then get some exclusive merch, an invite to a live podcast and more.
- Exclusive Widnes Rugby polo shirt (after 3 months)
- Social Media Shout-out
- Invite to Podcast Live event (TBC)
- Exclusive Requests
- Direct Messages
- Support more content creation
- Weekly email
- + Fan badge on your widnesrugby.com profile
- Keep website/forum pop-up ads free
- Your name on Widnes Rugby Fans tribute page
Widnes Rugby + Sponsor (£50 per month)
More targeted at businesses (though individuals are more than welcome!), this gets you a sidebar advert on the website and a audio advert within each podcast episode, as well as acknowledgement in the podcast description.
- Advert on widnesrugby.com
- Brand mention / advert in every podcast
- Promote your business in Facebook group
- Logo in weekly email
- Support more content creation
You can also make a one-off donation.
Where will my donations go?
For a start, they will help to cover the various costs of running the website and the podcast. Beyond that, the donations will then afford me more time to produce more Widnes related content, such as exclusive interviews, opinion pieces and well, basically anything you would like to see.
You will be able to send requests and ideas directly through the membership portal.
If you can donate, great. If not, don’t worry. I will be very appreciative of anyone who is able to, just as I am of anyone who takes time to read/listen/watch what I do.
