LOGAN Tomkins has handed Widnes Vikings a massive boost by committing his long-term future to the club.

The experienced hooker has penned a two-year deal to remain with the Vikings until the end of the 2022 campaign.

Tomkins – a Super League and Challenge Cup winner with Wigan who played for Salford in last year’s Super League Grand Final – featured in six of Widnes’ seven fixtures before the 2020 season was curtailed.

He says playing under Tim Sheens with the Vikings has made him rediscover his enjoyment of the sport again.

“I couldn’t see myself playing anywhere else at this moment in time. I’ve really started enjoying myself playing rugby at Widnes again,” he said.

“It’s the first time in a long time I have properly enjoyed myself playing rugby and I didn’t want that to come to an end.

“I was really glad when Tim rang me up and said they were interested again, and there was no negotiating involved.

“The club made me an offer and I took it, and I am proud to still be playing for Widnes.

“I enjoyed working under Tim during my time at Salford so that is a big aspect as to why I am enjoying my rugby so much here.

“Also, it’s what the club is trying to do. They’re a well-run club it’s just that in the last couple of years they have been unfortunate.

“I like to be a part of the bigger picture where we’re aiming towards something and there is a goal to be achieved.”

When the Vikings return to action, it will be a decade since Tomkins first pulled on the club’s colours.

He played 14 times for Widnes in 2011, scoring six tries, in a dual registration spell from Wigan.

“I started my career at Widnes in a way, that helped kickstart my career in Super League and the club have done a lot for me,” he said.

“It’s nice now to be back involved with the club at the later stages of my career as well as the start of it.”

The hooker went onto explain why the enforced break from action brought about by the coronavirus pandemic has not been as bad for him as others.

“My second daughter was born a week and a half before lockdown, so for very selfish reasons I haven’t minded it because I have spent the first three months of my daughter’s life with her,” he said.

“I never would have normally had that time with her.

“I’m back in work now that things are starting to get back to some kind of normality, and rugby has been a bit of a void that needs to be filled.

“We can see the light at the end of the tunnel now.

“At first when everything was up in the air family comes first, but now things are getting back to normal I am missing playing.

“I was enjoying a bit of a break, because with the age I am at and the point of my career I’m at any sort of break is good for my body.

“Now I feel like I’ve got a new lease of life and I’m ready for the season to start again now to rip into it.

“It’s been tough at times to get motivated to keep on top of your fitness but my lifestyle is pretty active anyway.

“I’ve got four dogs, two young kids and my wife is an absolute fitness freak so they have all kept me on track.

“The Widnes fans are great and they always have been, even from my first stint at the club.

“They have done a lot for the club of the last couple of years by getting it back up and running, so it will be good to see them all again.

“It’s part of what you miss, we all miss playing rugby but you miss the atmosphere that the fans create too, especially when you’re at home.

“It’s one of those things that you never really get used to, and then when it’s gone you really do miss it.

“I think this break will give everyone a new sort of excitement, because you probably take things for granted when you play week in week out.

“The Season Ticket holders have backed the club through this time, they have all stayed loyal to the club and those who have been able to have helped out with donating their money back to the club.

“They’re a great set of fans, some of the best I’ve ever witnessed so it will be good to get back and put in some good performances for them.”