Sorry but it's a NO from me as in simple terms I can't stand Widnes in a pantomime villain sense.

However, I'm not overly happy about their plight as it weakens the game as a whole and we need strong rivalries but tempted to watch them? I'd sooner book myself in for root canal work I didn't need and without anesthetic.

Don't disagree Duckie but he was not responsible for clubs being run badly. It might appear that any 'fit and proper test' would lead to a number of clubs going by the way side as it was probably the only person offering to take over eg Bradford and unfortunately Widnes

Hopefully Widnes will come back at some point

They'll need to strip back like Leigh did.

There's an old saying about rugby league in that it's a professional sport run by amateurs.........never more true than in this case

If Widnes can be saved or reincarnated in any way through us using them as a Dual Reg partner I’d gladly support it.

Not sure if they would have the income to pay for the rent on the stadium though. More likely end up at one of the bigger amateur club grounds, which is a shame as there’s a decent championship size hardcore fan base there. Shame the council can’t help them out a bit with lower rents but then the taxpayers rightly would question that. Remember what WBC did for us and the backlash?

As ever in these situations the players will end up ok. RFL will allow other clubs to sign them off cap, it’s the poor support staff that keep the organisation running and being honest are probably more dedicated to the club who are the biggest losers.

Surely Marwan should step in here and wrap up Widnes into his vision for a Merseyside RL club.

Above sentiment aside, is there any players you would bring across? I liked the look of Craven.

Nailed.
I take no pleasure in Widnes' demise (well, apart from that whopper who comes on here, boring us about a 30 year old match). Office workers, backroom staff etc may lose their jobs. Players will simply move to another club, on (I imagine) a similar contract. Situations like this, have a serious"knock on effect" for families.

I have a friend, a good few years older than me, and he's a proud Widnesian (I know, a Widnesian friend, eurrrgh), and this situation upsets him, greatly. He's also a successful business man, who was in direct competition (until he sold out to a multi national) to a recent Widnes board member (I shall mention no names, obviously) and he tells me of the kind of "person" this man was. I won't repeat it here, as it would break the swear filter. Which brings me on to my next point.

Fit and proper persons
Look around us in sport.
20 miles away. Bolton. Only a few years ago, they were Premier League stalwarts. Now look at them. Can't pay staff wages. Chairman HATED by its fans.
Likewise Blackpool (only 1 year in PL). Rumours abound about Coventry City being up the creek. There's countless others. Newcastle. What a joker Mike Ashley is. My own team, Manchester City, only 12 years ago, was owned by a corrupt Thai politician, who wanted to previously buy Liverpool. The way sports clubs are ran (at times) is disgraceful. Greedy chairman, "trousering" huge sums of money, with a negligible amount going back into the club.

So, no Saddened. Us, Saints, Wigan, Sky , should NOT be helping Widnes out. They are business men (successful ones, I may add). They NEED to use their club as MORE THAN playthings. Every professional sports club MUST have a self generated "slush fund" to prevent administration, BEFORE they go breaking the bank, on superstar players. They come and go. Clubs are here for decades, and are q cornerstone for a community.

I hope Widnes (and other clubs in peril, Leigh etc) survive this.

There but for SJM Holdings, go we.

We should include Stuart Middleton, who has heavily supported the club financially, and is, fortunately for us all, first-and-foremost a passionate Wire supporter.

Most of the players will be ok. I think one of the players is out for four months. This now leaves him without a pay packet and not sure about ongoing medical treatment?

Hopefully they can rebuild from this, they always punch above their weight in terms of youth development and are potentially a very good Championship team.

Great post v well put sir !

Koukash won’t be interested,the reason being he tried to get ownership of stadium at Salford,Widnes don’t own the stadium. That my thought of why he wouldn’t touch it.

He could be a silent partner in Salford and not be allowed to control Widnes.

Just been saved with a late purchase by a consortium. Now deciding who they can afford to keep. At this stage backroom staff have to reapply for jobs.

Good to see them 'saved' just hope it is a sensible and sustainable takeover with a robust plan and not just a piece of sticky tape that will fall off sooner rather than later.
Good luck to them

Just a point ! is Terry O'Connor the ex player and pundit related to the Steve & Brian O'Connor who between them nearly sent Widnes Viking's down the pan ?