Yes, all players are free agents and will be paid off with approx 2 months salary according to one report I saw.
As has been said only Wilde and Johnson would be worth trying to get back, certainly the pick of the bunch that left us.
There are no guarantees re Covid 19, for anyone or any sport atm. Two problems for us are being PT would not suit some, atm we cannot be sure just how we will finance next year until we have more positive programme. Hopefully VIQI will continue throughout but a lack of ST or a reduction in ST sales could pose real problems. Widnes RLFC is like most businesses these days and they will all be cautious, of necessity.
Who are full-time in the Championship - Toulouse, Leigh and London? - London have actually indicated that they intend to give priority to promoting their own Academy players to their first team squad; Leigh must have the biggest squad in the league already; and similarly, Toulouse have a big squad too. Not sure about Halifax, Featherstone and York - and possibly Newcastle in League 1 - who may have a local backers behind them.
I understand that Widnes only came out of Administration less than two years ago and still recovering from that financial melt down in addition to the impact of covid, but in one sense that helped them to respond to the financial challenges of covid by previously cutting back on costs. Obviously, Widnes have the support of fans through Viqi and will still have some local sponsorship. You never know that there may be out there somewhere, someone prepared to invest in the club!!
When crowds are allowed back into grounds and there is a suggestion that this will be around March/April 2021 but who knows, Widnes will continue to be one of the best supported teams in the Championship.
There will be a lot of players looking for contracts next year - released by SL clubs with no reserve league in 2021 in addition to those released by TWP and Ottawa Some will be signed up by SL clubs as squad players, some may go full-time to the likes of Salford, Leigh etc, some will return home to Australia etc, some may be lost to the game and others may be prepared to accept a part-time contract - particularly those who previously had part-time deals before joining Ottawa.
Widnes is probably in a better financial position than the majority of Championship clubs and even one or two SL clubs, with players on big contracts for 2021 and a reduction in Sky money. We currently have a squad of 20 and will need to sign at least another 4 players for 2021. Hopefully, we will be able to pick up some of the better players that have become available to strengthen our squad.
Have Ottawa announced that they are releasing the players that they have signed? My guess is that without the opportunity to progress to SL. which seems unlikely with the TWP decision, both Ottawa and NY will not join the League. There will be a lot of players looking for a new clubs with no reserve league in 2021, in addition to the TWP and Ottawa players, as well as SL clubs, with usual few exceptions, cutting back on new signings and planning to bring in players from their Academies. Of those mentioned, I would agree that Wilde, Johnson and Fozard are worth pursuing. I would also consider Ellis Robson.
Robson has re-signed with Warrington.
<p style="text-align: left;">Agree with most of the above Wilde, fozard, and Johnson. I’d look at Olbison but I think if Bradford were interested that would be more appealing to Tom</p>
Looking at the Newcastle squad, could Bob Beswick turn up in one role or another?
Player/Trainer?
There should be a few qualfied trainers around atm but do they understand the RL requirements? Iirc the Aussies used to use boxing trainers for fitness, to good effect.
Beswick looks set up at Newcastle and he is getting close to hanging up his boots. Hopefully Simon has his own idea's on new staff.
Looking at the Newcastle squad, could Bob Beswick turn up in one role or another? Player/Trainer?
Yes.
Have we even got a conditioner?