WIDNES Vikings co-captain Chris Houston has announced that he will be hanging his boots up at the end of this season.

The veteran packman, currently sidelined with injury, is now plotting the next chapter of his life.

Houston said: "I’ve really enjoyed my time at Widnes, but I think it’s the right time for me to plan for the next stage of my life. I’ve got another baby coming along in two months’ time, so it’s the right time for me to consider my next chapter.

"The big thing for me now is to focus on getting back onto the field. I’m not too far off being back to full fitness, and my main priority is playing well for the team and enjoying my remaining games.”

Houston has made a big contribution at Vikings and that was reflected in last year's player of the year awards.

He said: “I’ll definitely look back proudly at my time at Widnes Vikings, it’s a club that has meant a lot to me. I’ve enjoyed living in the town that I play for, and meeting people in the community, supporters and especially ex-players, who have also played here.

"It hurts me that I’ve not been able to give the town and team more success, but that’s the nature of footy sometimes. That disappoints me a lot, especially being Co-Captain – it’s something I take personally. I want my remaining games to be positive ones that I’ll be able to look back fondly on.”

"It's been great to play for team with the history that Widnes has. I just hope that people can give the club their support at this stage in its history. We as club need the full support of this town, our fans and our sponsors so we can push on and fulfil the potential that we have now.

It’s great that Widnes had such a successful period in the 1970’s and 80’s, but it’s a time when we need people to support the boys that are out there playing now. "Hopefully in the not-too-distant future, we can bring more of that success back here.”