WIDNES Vikings are pleased to announce that Joe Booth will be joining the recently expanded medical team at the club.

Booth joins the Vikings medical department as Head Academy and Assistant First Team Physiotherapist and replaces Peter Talbot, who has left to pursue another opportunity outside professional sport.

The 25 year-old said he’s delighted to be joining the club at such an exciting time.

He said: "I am delighted to be joining Widnes’ medical department. This position is an accumulation of hard work through my career so far. It’s an exciting opportunity to join a fast developing Super League club with a medical department that is going from strength to strength.

“It will be a great challenge to continue the already high standards in the medical department and contribute to further development and success."

Andy McDonough, Head of Sports Medicine at the Vikings, said: “Joe is an experienced physiotherapist with a background in both the NHS and sport. He has worked with elite level football and rugby and will no doubt add to our growing department.

“His CV was exactly what I was looking for in our second physiotherapist role and it was a very easy appointment to make.

"While Joe takes over from Peter, it’s only right that we commend Peter for his hard work at the Vikings. He did a fantastic job in his time at the club and we would like to wish him the best of luck for the future.”

The Vikings have also retained Bucket and Sponge for our medical delivery this year.

McDonough added: “I am delighted to continue my long working relationship with Doctor John Morgan. He has proved invaluable in the last two seasons and is one of the best sport doctors in the North West.”