Widnes Vikings secure Stefan Marsh and Joe Mellor (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Widnes Vikings secure Stefan Marsh and Joe Mellor

9:39am Wednesday 10th October 2012 in Vikings news

VIKINGS have secured former Wigan Warriors players Stefan Marsh and Joe Mellor on two-year deals following the pair’s productive loan spells at the Stobart Stadium.

And the club further cemented some more solid building blocks in place by handing new contracts to key forwards Ben Davies and Alex Gerrard. Strong running 22-year-old centre Marsh, who scored ten tries in 23 on-loan appearances last term, has always been a target for Vikings boss Denis Betts.

Having started so promisingly in Widnes colours, Betts now expects the pacy three-quarter to kick on as a permanent fixture at the club.

He said: “We were always hopeful we could retain Stefan and we’ve worked really hard to ensure we were in a position to do so. “Despite having an option to remain at Wigan, he has really enjoyed his time at Widnes and was looking toward giving himself some stability both on and off the pitch.

“He’s a strike centre and while we’ve been pleased with how he has performed so far, we realise there’s plenty more to come from him. “I’m in no doubt we haven’t seen the best of him, because a few niggling injuries have sidelined him at times and affected his form. “These are things that can be ironed out and we’re confident he can go on to prove his undoubted potential and cement a place in the team.” With quality half backs as rare as hen’s teeth, recruiting 21-year-old Mellor to go into the mix with Rhys Hanbury and star signing Kevin Brown is an important move.

“Joe is a committed person and a quality professional, who leaves no stone unturned in his preparation and takes nothing for granted on the field,” Betts said.

“Retaining Joe and Stefan is further proof of the building blocks we are putting in place to ensure that everything works for us as an organisation.

“With all of our bodies fit and healthy next year, I’ll have plenty of cover in the half back positions, which is a great headache to have.”

Each of the four deals has been assisted by the continued efforts of fans fundraising scheme ‘Vikings Quids In’, also known as VIQI.