Hi Dan.
With the confirmed signings so far, looks like I can leave my boots at home now.
Shame that you & the Old Man can't make it but on the plus side, at least the beer won't run out.
Are Reg Bowden & "Rusty Bowden" our illustrious prop of times gone by, the same person?

Hi BB.

No, Reg is a Widnes legend who was the first Fulham coach (played for Fulham too).

He was with Fulham for 4 years and when we met him last year, he said those were the best days of his life.

Top bloke...the supporters were really nice too.

Sadly, I can't confirm whether the bar stocks Stella!

What trains are you getting? I may go but might see how the squad looks when it's complete. Meeting reg Bowden was a great memory of widnes and the fish and chip shop up the road is very good and cheap. The supporters I met last time did make me dislike the club a lot though, the clubhouse is still worth a visit mind.

Hi Sogsie.
I'm getting 08:15 Euston to Liverpool Lime St (Virgin Trains Seat B 28 ) then 11:26 Lime St to Widnes get there 11:53

Coming home 18:11 Widnes to Manchester Piccadilly, then 18:55 Manchester Piccadilly to Euston (Virgin Trains Seat E04 ).

Hope you make it, seems like the side is coming together now.

Reg Bowden from Widnes half-back and captain, Rusty Bawden Aussie larrikin and prop!

...and he could sink VB like it was water! (technically, it's about 2 molecules removed from water).

I'm getting robbed at the Hive I'm not letting the scousers rob me aswell!!

BOOOOOH Paddock

I should go really, as my family home is in Derby it's only about an hour away, but I think (ironically) I'm in London working that same weekend, so I'll be armchairing it!

He has southern hemisphere grumpiness....it'll wear off after a week or so now he's back in the NH!

And Reg Bowden still isn't very popular with some of us who go back to the Craven Cottage era.

Why what did he do?

At the Lancashire Supporters Federation bash at Wigan after the 83/84 season he stood on stage and said that we were carrying on the next season and were going to bring in Australian players etc., etc., when everyone there knew full well that he'd already signed on the dotted line to coach Warrington in 84/85 and that Ernie Clay was shutting us down. It wasn't him leaving that was the problem - after all, if you'd got a wife, three kids and a mortgage and knew that the company you were working for was about to go t*ts up you'd have to take another job if it was offered - but the way he stood there and lied to everyone. All he had to do was have a 'diplomatic cold' and stay away. Ron Snares had to physically prevent Tony Gourley thumping him in the car park afterwards (which shows that Ron must have been drunk - not something I would have done!).

I can confirm that I will also be at Widnes, (must be mad)

Going Preston North End V Orient day before, so all the way back to London, then back up on Sunday morning, Orient train trips are classic beer monster days out, so well worth it.

London - Warrington 09.45-12.14 - breakkie and more beer, £1.30 single to Widnes, then any train out Widnes and on Manchester/London, on 19.15
TOTAL £24.00 plus £1.30 on day, still the travel master.

Can confirm Nice club at Widnes, but fans are something, does still sell Pils and I know a pub with Stella in.

Also doing Bradford 09.56 out to leeds, any train to Bradistan and back, then on 19.45 Leeds to London, £26 Return

Will be doing Wigan away as well on Friday 11th April, will stay either Mercure in Pie Town or Travelodge in Warrington.

I will only be doing two (2) home game at Hive this year, as all clash with work and Orient, so no season ticket for me. Warrington Sun 09th March + Hull KR Sat 26th Jul, but these are not firm yet, as two bob Barnet may have pre-season friendly or two...........................

Whoops.............Forgot................. Doing Leeds on Friday 31st Jan

Look forward to seeing you at Widnes Orientwest.
Will give you a ring beforehand to sort out a meet up, providing you can do two days drinking !
Decided not to do Ryan's Testimonial but have sorted out trains & accommodation for 21st March game against Leeds instead.
Can't wait for the season to start now.