List of Widnes Vikings coaches
Introduction This is a list of Widnes Vikings coaches since the 1964 season to present.NameNationalityFromToRecord       Thomas Shannon1949195?Joe Egan19641964Vince KaraliusJan 1972May 1975Frank MylerMay 1975May 1978Doug LaughtonMay 1978May 1983Colin TyrerMar 1983May 1983Harry DawsonMay 1983Mar 1984Vince KaraliusMar 1984May 1984Eric HughesJun 1984Jan 1986Doug LaughtonJan 1986May 1991Frank MylerJun 1991May 1992Phil LarderMay 1992May 1994Tony MylerMay 1994Aug 1995Doug LaughtonAug 1995May 1997Graeme WestMay 1997Aug 1998Colin WhitfieldAug 1998Mar 2000David HulmeMar 2000Mar 2001Neil KellyMar 2001Jul 2004Stuart Spruce (caretaker)Jul 2004Oct 2004Frank EndacottOct 2004Oct 2005Steve McCormackOct 2005Feb 2009John Stankevitch (caretaker)Feb 2009Mar 2009Paul CullenMar 20092010201109649438.55Denis Betts20102018Francis Cummins (caretaker) 20182018Kieron Purtill20182019Tim Sheens20192020Simon Finnigan2021PresentSource: rugby.widnes.tv.Win Percentage is worked out as number of wins, divided by total number of games.Table currently only lists records from league games.
History On 16 February 2009 Widnes declared that they had parted company with coach Steve McCormack, through 'mutual consent'. The news came 3 days after Widnes were controversially beaten 22-20 at home to Co-Operative Championship 1 side Oldham in the Northern Rail Cup Stage. Vikings' chairman Steve O'Connor was quick to announce that the decision wasn't made on the back of the Oldham defeat alone. John Stankevitch was appointed as caretaker coach after McCormacks exit from the club.Paul Cullen was appointed as Head Coach on 8 March 2009, Cullen first aided John Stankevitch in his final game as caretaker coach, beating French side Toulouse Olympique 70-0 in the first game of the 2009 Co-operative Championship.Cullen had a successful first season with the Vikings, finishing in 4th position in the 2009 Co-operative Championship and winning the 2009 Northern Rail Cup.
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