Widnes v Salford.

You don’t often hear the term sleeping giant in Rugby League. It’s more a phrase associated with football. In my opinion though Widnes Rugby League club fit that category perfectly. The town is steeped in the history of the sport and its production line of players has produced some of the best in every decade since the sport began. The town isn’t too far from the footballing metropolis of Liverpool but if you asked most people around the country to name something from Widnes and I am confident they would point to the Rugby League club. 

Since the Vikings last played in the Super League in 2018 it’s been tough going in the Championship. Coaches have come and gone with the club struggling to find stability. Under Alan Coleman they seem to be making good progress. Coleman did an excellent job at Swinton before his move to the Chemic’s in 2024. 

Despite two home defeats at the back end of June/start of July to Doncaster and Oldham, Widnes have had a pretty consistent season. Those two defeats are their only losses in the past fourteen games and that’s not a bad return. They currently sit fourth in the Championship just above Barrow on points difference after beating the Raiders last weekend 24-8.

Salford met London last Sunday. The Broncos are head and shoulders above most teams in the Championship with the power and pace they possess. Salford though came up with a catalogue of errors that handed London a very comfortable victory that they didn’t really need to work for. One thing you’ve got to do against the Broncos is hold the ball and do the basics right. This London side don’t need any assistance at all so if you are slightly off the pace they will expose you straight away and take full advantage. They have ran away with so many matches in the last twenty minutes but credit must go to Salford as they kept going in the final quarter and managed to stem the tide as well as posting a well taken try of their own.

The announcement of Marc Sneyd signing for 2027 is a huge statement of intent. Sneyd’s ability to manage a game with his skill and vision is absolutely vital to a team that’s looking to make big progress next year. Add to that his incredible goal kicking ability. Sneyd’s influence on youngsters Toby Hughes, Lewis Pilling and Riley Johnson could prove to be an absolute masterstroke in the years to come. 

 Post war League away record.

Widnes 36

Draws 1

Salford 20

2017 Widnes 10 Salford 46

2016 Widnes 24 Salford 32

2015 Widnes 10 Salford 24 (Qualifies)

2015 Widnes 21 Salford 20

2014 Widnes 32 Salford 18

2013 Widnes 58 Salford 24

2012 Widnes 18 Salford 38

2005 Widnes 6 Salford 22

2004 Widnes 14 Salford 15

2002 Widnes 15 Salford 14

2002 Widnes 16 Salford 26

1996 Widnes 20 Salford 32

1996 Widnes 24 Salford 22

1994 Widnes 24 Salford 10

1994 Widnes 30 Salford 22

1993 Widnes 38 Salford 22

1992 Widnes 20 Salford 24

1989 Widnes 46 Salford 18

1989 Widnes 50 Salford 8

1988 Widnes 22 Salford 2

1987 Widnes 13 Salford 12

1985 Widnes 27 Salford 12

1983 Widnes 28 Salford 4

1980 Widnes 10 Salford 26

1979 Widnes 16 Salford 6

1978 Widnes 16 Salford 5

1977 Widnes 16 Salford 10

1976 Widnes 15 Salford 12

1975 Widnes 19 Salford 14

1974 Widnes 7 Salford 8

1973 Widnes 10 Salford 23

1973 Widnes 9 Salford 18

1971 Widnes 17 Salford 5

1969 Widnes 2 Salford 19

1968 Widnes 21 Salford 9

1967 Widnes 0 Salford 14

1966 Widnes 9 Salford 7

1965 Widnes 11 Salford 12

1964 Widnes 4 Salford 12

1964 Widnes 11 Salford 10

1961 Widnes 15 Salford 2

1961 Widnes 30 Salford 9

1960 Widnes 32 Salford 13

1958 Widnes 35 Salford 10

1957 Widnes 13 Salford 2

1956 Widnes 17 Salford 7

1955 Widnes 8 Salford 7

1955 Widnes 10 Salford 5

1953 Widnes 18 Salford 0

1953 Widnes 11 Salford 8

1951 Widnes 5 Salford 5

1950 Widnes 17 Salford 0

1949 Widnes 7 Salford 13

1948 Widnes 2 Salford 0

1948 Widnes 13 Salford 0

1947 Widnes 4 Salford 3

1946 Widnes 7 Salford 11

They played for both.

There a quite a lot to be honest so I’ve selected a few from years gone by and some from not so long ago.

Richie Barnett, keith Bentley, Mal Aspey, Jim Mills, Eric Prescott, Craig Coleman, Jason Critchley, John Duffy, Cliff Eccles, Ensene Famailo, Joe Famailo, Matt Gardner, Aaron Moule, Adrian Hadley, Karl Hammond, Tim Hartley, Gareth Hock, Rangi Chase, David Hulme, Craig Makin, Stephen Myler, Richie Myler, Stephen Nash, Gareth O Brien, Terry O Connor, Kieran O Loughlin, Dan Murray, Liam Bent, Adam Lawton, Nathan Connell, Lokeni Savelio, Trevor Stockley, Kevin Tamati, David Myers, Lee Jewitt, Steve Tyrer, Phil Waring, Tyler Dupree, Matty Smith, Kieran Dixon, Josh Johnson, Luis Roberts, Ryan Lannon, Rhys Williams, Gavin Bennion and Dec Patton. 

A match to remember Sunday 18th July 2004.

Widnes 14 Salford 15.

After relegation at the end of the 2002 season the Salford supporters rallied round and the Forever Reds supporters group raised a fantastic amount of money that helped to keep the club full time for 2003. The season was a huge success winning the Rail Cup, finishing top then beating Leigh in the promotion final. Salford hit the ground running in 2004 beating Widnes at the Willows on the opening match of the season. By the time this match came around in July Widnes were struggling with just one win in ten games. Salford had lost nine games on the trot after the opening win over Widnes and sat just one place above the Vikings going into this match. The relegation battle at the foot of the table was becoming a real dog fight between Castleford, Wakefield, Widnes and Salford. This match was going to be a real four pointer. 

It certainly was a very tense first half and the match threatened to boil over at times. Widnes had Simon Finnigan and Shane Millard sin binned in the tweet fifth minute and Salford forward Gareth Haggerty joined them. Salford’s two tries came from Joel Caine and Chris Charles converted both as well as adding a penalty goal.

Gavin Clinch’s drop goal edged Salford to a thrilling 14-15 victory. The two sides met just a month later at the Willows. Widnes led 10-13 with just seven minutes remaining. Andy Johnson raced through to score the match winning try in another very narrow victory, 14-13 this time. It’s fair to say those two wins went a long way to ensuring Salford’s Super League survival. Castleford were eventually relegated on twelve points. Salford finished a very respectable ninth with sixteen points. 

The teams that day, 

Widnes, Atcheson, Weston, Bird, Hughes, Giles, O’Neill, Peters, Hobson, Millard, O’Neill, Hay, McCurrie, Finnigan.

Subs, Myler, Frame, Wozniak, Mills.

Salford, Flowers, Kirk, Stewart, McGuinness, Caine, Beverley, Clinch, Highton, Alker, Baynes, Coley, Shipway, Charles.

Subs, Fitzpatrick, Jonkers, Rutgerson, Haggerty.

Attendance, 5,573.

Referee, Ronnie Laughton. 

Friday’s match.

The twenty one man squad came out at Wednesday dinner time and this week no loan players are involved. Sadly Cameron Bate suffered a season ending injury against London and could be out for a real long period. Bate has been a very consistent performer in the pack since joining on loan from Bradford. It’s always upsetting to see a player ruled out long term and we send our best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Dave Hewitt will be forced to make changes this week and one or two other players could be doubtful after that bruising encounter last Sunday against the Broncos. As on door closes another one opens in sport and this will hand opportunities to players on the fringes of the squad. Cole Appleby has waited patiently for is chance, Fin Yates, Sam Hill and Damola Ayanlaja-Lowo are all in contention. 

Charlie Glover returned to the side last Sunday after a real long injury layoff. Charlie was injured in our opening match of the season and after suffering the whole diabolical 2025 season it’s great to see him back playing with a smile on his face. 

Hewitt will be under no illusions regarding how tough this match will be. Widnes are fighting at the top of the table and have a good chance of finishing second. The Vikings welcome London to the DCBL stadium next Sunday before finishing the season against Halifax, Workington and Sheffield. 

The action gets under way at 7:30pm

Safe travels and enjoy the game.

Paul Whiteside. 

Big thanks to Steve McCormick, Adam Hanglin and Gareth Lyons for the photos and the Salford match day programme.