WIDNES Vikings will take on Championship side Halifax in a pre-season friendly on Sunday, January 17 at the Select Security Stadium (3pm kick-off).

It will be the first time Halifax have visited the Select Security Stadium since April 2011, when Widnes ran out 47-36 winners in a Championship league match.

Supporters will no doubt remember fondly another previous meeting, the 2009 Northern Rail Cup semi-final in which the Vikings triumphed 27-22 at The Shay, on the way to winning the trophy that year. Anthony Thackeray scored a hat-trick on a day that was perhaps most remembered for the infamous Ben Black error. That game was one of four meetings in 2009, including a meeting in the Challenge Cup, with two wins apiece.

There was also a Challenge Cup tie in 2014 at The Shay, when Kevin Brown scored a brace of tries to help lead the Vikings to a 34-10 win.

Halifax have recruited several players with Super League experience over the off-season, including Simon Grix, Will Sharp and Jacob Fairbank.

This will be the last opportunity to see the Vikings at home before the First Utility Super League season begins with a trip to Wakefield on Sunday February 7.

Please note that the general section of the South Stand will be categorised as unallocated seating for this fixture. Halifax supporters will be accommodated in the South East section of the stand.

Tickets will be on sale from 11am on Tuesday November 24th from the Vikings Superstore or by calling the ticket line on 0151 495 2250.

The two sides met in the Super 8s stage of the 2014 season at The Shay, when new signing Charly Runciman scored a brace of tries on his debut to lead the Vikings to a hard-fought 14-0 win.

2016 Viking Stronghold Member Price: Adult £10, Concession £8, Junior £3.

General Ticket Price: Adult £14, Concession £11, Junior £6.

Executive seating will be available in the Gold and Silver area on a first come first served basis and will include a complimentary carvery meal.

Executive seating prices are as follows:

2016 Viking Stronghold Member Price: Adult £20, Concession £15, Junior £10.

General Ticket Price: Adult £25, Conc £20, Junior £15.

The Vikings 2016 pre-season programme in full:

Sunday, December 27 - Warrington Wolves - H - 3pm.

Saturday, January 9 - Newcastle Thunder - A - 3pm.

Sunday, January 17 - Halifax RLFC - H - 3pm.

Sunday, January 24 - St Helens - A - 3pm.