WIDNES Vikings need to use charismatic strike centre Anthony Gelling to promote the club as they battle out of the Championship.

That is the view of coach Kieron Purtill after watching the former Wigan centre get his Vikings career off to a flying start in the win over Halifax on Sunday.

It was not simply his performances that caught the eye, with his job done he sat in the stands with the spectators in what was a feelgood afternoon after an unsettling few months since relegation.

Purtill said: “Gells has had a couple of weeks to settle in now.

“And Ryan Ince certainly benefited from having him inside him.

“We need to keep him on the field. It was a good little gesture from him coming off the field and sitting with the fans.

“He’s a character and we need to build on that as a club, buy into it because he is going to be a massive player for us this year.”

After a good opening day win, Vikings now travel to Toulouse on Saturday, followed by a trip to face Toronto in Newcastle the following week.

“We have got off to a good start, but we face two really tough games now,” Purtill said.