https://widnesvikings.co.uk/vikings-announce-departures/
Widnes Vikings can confirm a number of departures after the 2021 season came to a close last week.
Departures are of course inevitable at any Rugby League club at the end of the season, but it is with appreciation that we announce the players that are to leave the club after their efforts in black and white during their careers.
Several different factors result in players moving on including aspirations to train and play in full-time environments at Super League level, retirement, the specific aims of the club’s recruitment and retention strategy and of course budget.
Matt Cook and Paul Clough have already announced their retirements from the game after stellar careers. The pair played their final games in the 26-16 victory at Oldham on the final day of the 2021 season.
Deon Cross will also be leaving the club after agreeing to join a full-time club and pursue his ambition to play in Super League. Deon scored 24 tries in 31 appearances during his two seasons with the Vikings, and recently scooped Fans’ Player of the Year award at our End of Season dinner as well as winning Try of the Season for his effort at home to London Broncos.
Jayden Hatton is also leaving Widnes hoping to pursue his ambition of a full-time career in Rugby League. Jayden has scored 16 tries in his 32 appearances during three years with the Vikings first team following his progression through the club’s academy programme.
Daniel Hill departs after agreeing to join St Helens as a member of their first team squad. ‘Hilly’ came through the academy at Widnes and broke into the first team this season, making six appearances and scoring a try against Salford Red Devils in the Challenge Cup.
Owen Buckley will leave when his contract expires at the end of this year. ‘Buckers’ scored 11 tries in his 13 senior appearances after coming through the Vikings’ youth system, including seven in seven games during 2019 and a memorable hat-trick against Oldham in the Challenge Cup the same year.
Josh Wilde will also leave the club at the end of his current contract. ‘Wildey’ broke into the first team this season after also coming through the Academy and making his debut against West Wales Raiders in the Challenge Cup, but has decided to move on in search of playing time elsewhere.
Lee Jewitt has suffered from long-term injuries during his one year with the Vikings and also leaves at the expiry of his contract. He is now running his own sports counselling and welfare programme.
The club would like to thank all of the departing players for their efforts in Vikings colours and wish them the best of luck going forwards.
We have been working on our recruitment and retention strategy for much of the 2021 season and are still working to finalise the squad for the season ahead.
We will continue to announce player signings in the coming weeks as we look to build a squad for 2022. All 2022 squad news confirmed so far can be found here.
Wonder what that means for the several players who've not been announced as retained or departed.
No mention of Logan Tompkins, so hope that means he has recovered from his long term injury
Presumably others may have had offers and are deliberating on their future. Looks as if Hatton and Wilde are bent on a FT future so there is only one way for them atm.
No suggestion that we have other announcements in the pending basket, but it certainly looks like most incoming signings have been sorted, publicising them is awaiting other individual considerations.
The shortage of props in the game generally, certainly in the PT area, is a problem for more than us. A number of clubs, like Bradford, clinging onto experience.
By my reckoning, these are the players still to be confirmed one way or another:
Ollie Brookes
Joe Edge
Lewis Else
Lewis Hulme
Joe Lyons
Lloyd Roby
Will Tilleke
Based on speculation, we're still waiting for confirmation of the signings of Brad Holroyd (presumably post-Workington play-off exit) and Aaron Brown (not sure what the hold up with this one is, unless it's not happening).
I think that’s a fair list of departures.
Surprised with Wilde, thought he had potential. Hatton will be a loss, but can’t argue with him wanting full time.
Hopefully those not mentioned will all sign a new contract, what this year has proved is you can’t have too many players in your squad.
We will obviously need squad players to cover for injuries and most of those have had a season's experience.
The days of us carrying a lot of youngsters has ceased and we are in the position of looking for other club's 'finds'! Regarding our remaining lads it looks as if it will come down to an assessment of which ones have improvement in them and have responded to coaching and those who have maybe reached their level.
Not a nice job for the Coach or Board, but it has to be done.
By my reckoning, these are the players still to be confirmed one way or another: Ollie Brookes Joe Edge Lewis Else Lewis Hulme Joe Lyons Lloyd Roby Will Tilleke Based on speculation, we’re still waiting for confirmation of the signings of Brad Holroyd (presumably post-Workington play-off exit) and Aaron Brown (not sure what the hold up with this one is, unless it’s not happening).
With respect to them all they can be replaced we need as many players gone as possible to ditch the mentality of giving up which has hounded us for years. We need a prolific half back, have you heard anything on Tomkins ?
By my reckoning, these are the players still to be confirmed one way or another: Ollie Brookes Joe Edge Lewis Else Lewis Hulme Joe Lyons Lloyd Roby Will Tilleke Based on speculation, we’re still waiting for confirmation of the signings of Brad Holroyd (presumably post-Workington play-off exit) and Aaron Brown (not sure what the hold up with this one is, unless it’s not happening).
With respect to them all they can be replaced we need as many players gone as possible to ditch the mentality of giving up which has hounded us for years. We need a prolific half back, have you heard anything on Tomkins ?
I recall one of our 'reserves' (may have been Ollie Brookes) asked to play second row commented that Finnigan's training was 'pretty full on' so the heavier contact wasn't a worry. Wonder if this is a guide to the attitude of the players we are signing, rather than what they have achieved so far?
By my reckoning, these are the players still to be confirmed one way or another: Ollie Brookes Joe Edge Lewis Else Lewis Hulme Joe Lyons Lloyd Roby Will Tilleke Based on speculation, we’re still waiting for confirmation of the signings of Brad Holroyd (presumably post-Workington play-off exit) and Aaron Brown (not sure what the hold up with this one is, unless it’s not happening).
I hope we keep at least Brookes, Hulme and Tilleke.
Disappointed to lose Hatton but more at ease with it now I know that he’s chosen to leave to pursue full-time rugby rather than being axed by the club which I would have seen as a poor move. Good that the club is in a position quite early compared to some recent seasons to know who is staying and what positions require further strengthening.
no ne that cant be replaced but sad to see a couple of them go. thanks lads.
No mention of Logan Tompkins, so hope that means he has recovered from his long term injury
I spoke to a SL player the other day and he said he won’t be back. Has a job as a fireman, works four on and four off and is using his foot as an excuse not to play.
18 players signed up so far including Tomkins with 7 lads still in limbo from this years squad. I would sign them all except perhaps Edge taking us to 24 players.
IMO to make a top 4 to 6 place next year we need at least 28 players signed up in the squad including 6 props. So depending on the Tomkins situation we need 4 or 5 more incoming players. 2 are already rumoured a winger & second row. It is a no brainer to resign Tilleke with only 3 true props signed up. Here's hoping I get my wish!
Wilde I suppose would have very limited scope for game time with the list of signings we have seen, in addition to the current back-row signed up. If we were able to have reserves, then it may have been different.
Hill can't begrudge going to Saints. My mind goes back to when we got the license and Mike Rush was on the radio saying something along the lines of he wasn't overly happy Widnes got back in SL because at the time it was rich pickings for them. The player is always going to make the move but it is convenient that the successful player production line isn't there anymore at Widnes.
Buckley has not kicked on for me, a spell playing every week in L1 may be the best for him.
Cross and Hatton are losses, but if Ince and Holroyd play to their ability/potential I don't see a massive problem.