WIDNES Vikings coaches Mick Cassidy, Brett Hodgson and Dave Banks have all signed contract extensions with the club for the next two seasons.

With the Vikings registering their best ever Super League finish in 2016 by ending the season in seventh place, the Club have been quick to tie down the coaching staff that help to make that possible.

Cassidy and Banks have been key members of Denis Betts' backroom staff for years, whilst Hodgson has been a huge influence at the Club since joining from Warrington Wolves in 2014, and has played an integral role in the development of a number of players as the Vikings Academy Head Coach.

Head coach Denis Betts has already spoke of his happiness that members of his backroom staff have extended their stay at the Club.

"These contract extensions are a real good thing for the Club and the stability of the Performance Department," he said.

"Both Brett and Mick have been a big part in how we have gone in the last couple of years and our improvements and I know there is so much more to come from them and the team. All of them working alongside myself and the team make Widnes Vikings a really good solid and consistent team.

"I’ve worked with Dave for a long, long time and he is consistent, diligent and delivers excellent standards across the team. We’ve got a very strong group of people that are enhancing our Performance Department here year after year and keeping them here for another couple of years is only going to keep adding to the quality of people that are involved in our organisation."

Assistant coach Mick Cassidy has already expressed his delight at putting pen-to-paper on a contract extension with the Vikings.

"I'm over the moon with my two year extension with Widnes Vikings and it's great to be staying with the Club after such a good year on the field," he said.

"My first three years with the club were as a player and even though the Club didn't have any real success, the fans always turned up to support the team, and that is what I like about Widnes, the Town and its supporters.

"All the staff who support Denis in his role all get along brilliantly, we have a good mix of personalities and this certainly helps whether you have a good or a bad day on the field.

"We want to improve again next season, hopefully we can add to our squad with a couple more experienced players to help keep the pressure on the players to perform each week. Pressure on places is vital if we are to challenge for a top four spot next year."

Performance Analyst Dave Banks contract extension means he will be coming into his eleventh year with the Club, and it's something that he is very much looking forward to."

"I'm very pleased in signing a new deal with the club and I'm happy to continue working for the Vikings," he said.

"It will be my 11th season with the Club next year, I feel like part of the fixtures and fittings around the place now!

"It's great working with Denis, Mick and Brett. We have a very interesting and exciting dynamic, and we have a interesting interaction with the players and how we can get the best out of them so I'm looking forward to continue working with them.

"I think we're capable of taking the next step, the players are capable of improving and have shown that in each year we have been in Super League by doing better than the last and I think we're ready to do that in 2017."