VIKINGS director Roddy Snedden has increased his investment meaning he now owns 25 percent of Widnes Vikings.

Snedden joined the Vikings board of directors in 2012 after first showing his support as a club sponsor.

However, after having been impressed with the strides Vikings have made both on and off the pitch, he has raised his investment.

“My extra financial involvement with the club goes hand-in-hand with how well the club has done this year,” Snedden said.

“From small acorns, oak trees grow and I think we are creating something special here.

“I don’t think anyone would have predicted where we are now from even 12 months ago.

“We’ve got to a semi final of a major cup competition and have nearly beaten Warrington in the play-offs, so that to me is big, big progress.

“I’m happy with the way the club is being run and the way it’s going. Denis Betts is building a cracking side and I think there’s exciting times ahead. I’m doing my bit financially and I’m happy to do so.”

James Rule, Vikings chief executive, said: “It is a pleasure to work alongside Roddy both in his capacity as one of the major commercial partners but also as a fellow owner of the club.

“When Steve and I sat down a couple of years ago and looked at the big strategic steps that we felt the club needed to make for it to move forward, one of the most important was to develop a board structure and investment into the club.

“Roddy quickly stepped forward and invested into the club.

“Since then he’s continued to invest into the club and build his ownership stake in Widnes Vikings.

“There can be no greater vote of confidence in all the hard work taking place by each and every stakeholder at the club as an independent and successful businessman seeing it fit to invest in our great club.

“His support has been invaluable in allowing us to continue to grow and evolve in every area of our operation.

“I’m excited to work with Roddy as we continue to drive the club forward and I hope that his actions inspire all of our stakeholders to make their investment in Widnes Vikings.

“That investment can be from obtaining their season pass or Stronghold for 2015 or by joining us as a commercial partner for the forthcoming year. Whatever level of investment it all helps and the investment from Roddy Snedden has helped us enormously.”

Meanwhile, Vikings have appointed James Morehen as the club’s new nutritionist as part of their partnership with Liverpool John Moores University.

Morehen, aged 25, started work at Vikings as head of strength and conditioning Jon Clarke kicked off the players’ pre-season training.