Myler expects it to be tough at the top (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Myler expects it to be tough at the top

11:42am Friday 9th December 2011 in Vikings news

WIDNES legend Frank Myler believes next year could be a pivotal moment in the history of the club – but expects it to be tough.

Although the former centre, captain and coach is delighted to see his hometown club back up in the top tier of British rugby league Myler has urged the supporters to be patient.

But he believes that given time, the club can once again be restored to greatness by the age old strategy of complementing home-grown Widnes talent with quality recruits.

Myler, who coached the Chemics as they were then to their first Championship in 1978, said: “I hope the people of Widnes realise that it is not going to happen overnight.

“As much as I hope they don’t, there is a chance that we could struggle in this first season back in Super League.

“Widnes have brought a few players in and have some fresh blood. After next season we really do need to think about buying in even more quality players and getting them early so we can climb up the table.”

Despite spending all but four of the last 16 years out of the top flight Widnes has remained a fertile rugby league breeding ground – but Vikings’ years out of Super League has made it easier for their young talent to be poached.

Myler believes that with a bit of consolidation that trend can be reversed in the future.

“The danger with Widnes is we grow good young players and then the bigger clubs, with the money, entice them away.

“Our 80s and early 90s side we had 11 Widnes locals playing in that team for about seven years and then we could afford to buy.

“The Widnes people are knowledgeable. They will realise it going to be a difficult season but if we start going forward a bit in the first year it will be a bonus.

“If we can get the fans behind us, that will bring in more money to buy players. Good teams get good support,” said Myler.

Vikings squad for Super League XVII: 1: Shaun Briscoe, 2: Paddy Flynn, 3: Chris Dean, 4: Willie Isa, 5: Patrick Ah Van, 6: Lloyd White, 7: Rhys Hanbury, 8: Ben Cross, 9: Scott Moore, 10: Ben Davies, 11: Frank Winterstein, 12: Hep Cahill, 13: Jon Clarke, 14: Anthony Watts, 15: Simon Finnigan, 16: Ben Kavanagh,17: Steve Pickersgill, 18 and 19: To be filled, 20: Stefan Marsh, 21: Dave Allen, 22: Macgraff Leuluai, 23: Thomas Coyle, 24: Kurt Haggerty, 25: Danny Craven, 26: Anthony Mullally, 27: Grant Gore, 28: Alex Gerrard, 29: Jack Owens, 30: Tom Gilmore, 31: Alex Brown.