WIDNES Vikings have concluded an unprecedented 10 Academy signings from their under 16s scholarship set-up.

England Youth stars Liam Walsh and Danny Walker join Keanan Brand, Chris Wilson, James Rutlegde, Sam Freeman, Pat McCarroll, Jake Alder, Owen Farnworth and Lloyd Roby have taken the step up.

Loose forward Walshhas not only impressed for his amateur club Halton Farnworth Hornets and the Vikings U16s but has also been a great competitor for England for two consecutive years.

Phil Finney, head of youth at Widnes Vikings, said: “Liam is a very athletic uncompromising player with an excellent attitude towards work.

"His excellent attitude towards working hard and the physical nature of the game has seen him selected for England youth in the past two years.

"Liam is a very popular and well-respected member of the group at the Vikings and has demonstrated his leadership qualities in the two years he has spent with us so far.

"If Liam can continue to apply himself in the same manner in what will be very formative years I am sure he will achieve great things in the sport."

Hooker Walker has played alongside Walsh in an England jersey.

walker is a Warrington lad who joined the club as a fourteen year old when he was playing for Rylands Sharks.

He is a tenacious and very competitive hooker who has established himself as an integral member of the Widnes Vikings youth team.

Finney said: “Danny is renowned for the standards he sets for himself and others around him in all areas of training and is an excellent role model for the other youth players.

Centre Brand joined the Vikings from Wigan St Patricks.

He has developed brilliantly over the two years he has spent with the club and has been a very consistent performer throughout.

Brand has played in a number of positions over the course of his time with the Vikings scholarship programme demonstrating great versatility.

Finney said: “If Keanan works as hard as he can do over the next two years he has a great chance of becoming an outstanding senior player in the future.”

Brand said: “Playing at Widnes has been really good, I have made some brilliant mates here and I am really looking forward to moving onto the next stage of my professional career at the club. I hope that one day I will progress into the first team and get the chance to play at the highest level.”

Finney has spoken of scrum half Wilson’s character, having had to deal with an unfortunate run of injuries.

He said: “Chris is a player who thoroughly deserves an opportunity to show what he can achieve within our academy environment.

"Chris has had horrendous luck with serious injuries over the last two years and has battled back each time.

"He has a dogged determination and an attitude that fits with the Vikings values. With a clear injury-free run Chris will have the opportunity to display what he is capable of at Widnes Vikings and we are all looking forward to seeing him fulfil his potential."

Wilson added: “I have been looked after really well at Widnes Vikings especially with the injuries I have had.

"I have managed to get some game time this year that I really enjoyed and am excited about beginning my professional career at the Vikings. With any luck the injuries are now well behind me and I can work hard to develop into a successful rugby league player. ”

Wilson started playing rugby league at Orrell St James.

Both Rutlegde and Freeman are products of Halton Farnworth Hornets.

Rutledge plays prop. He only started playing rugby league a few years ago and has impressed on every level since taking up the sport.

Finney said: “James usually plays in the front row and is known for his unrelenting work rate and aggressiveness.

"The progression that James has made in his two years with Widnes Vikings is nothing short of outstanding and he is a very well respected member of the youth squad.

"James will be a great addition to the academy environment and if he continues to apply himself the way he has over the past two years I am sure he will achieve his ambitions in the game."

Rutledge is ‘made-up’ to have signed with the Vikings and said: “I am a Widnes lad so to play for Widnes Vikings and earn an academy contract is brilliant. I am really looking forward to joining the under nineteen’s and just can’t wait to get started.”

Runcorn and Widnes World:

James Rutledge

 

Freeman has developed his talent as a winger alongside Rutledge.

Finney said: “Sam is another local lad who has progressed through the Halton Farnworth Hornets club who is also a talented footballer.

"Sam has exceptSam Freemanional athleticism and the ability to evade defenders it would appear with ease. Sam has had an outstanding year demonstrating enormous future potential and is certainly an exciting prospect for fans to watch out for.”

Freeman is determined to carve out a successful career in rugby league with Widnes Vikings and said: “I have been with Widnes, my hometown club, for two years now and I have really enjoyed being here.

"It was an easy decision for me to join Widnes Vikings as I get on with all the lads and the coaches here so I was really happy to be offered my first professional contract here. I am really looking forward to making progress with the Club.”

Runcorn and Widnes World:

Sam Freeman

 

Prop McCarroll joined the Widnes Vikings scholarship programme about half way through the programme after impressing first team coach Dave Banks in a Shevington Sharks community game.

McCarroll was given a trial with the club and took his opportunity with both hands and worked his way into the starting team.

His attitude towards work and learning is excellent and explains the rate and size of improvements he has made over the last nine months.

McCarroll said: “I love the club and have enjoyed every minute I have spent here with the mates I have made.

"I didn’t expect to make the improvements I have and playing in this team has been a highlight for me.

"I want to be a Super League player more than anything and I know this club is the best place for me to try and achieve my goal.”

Runcorn and Widnes World:

Pat McCaroll

 

Full back Alder joined the Vikings after being spotted playing for Wigan St Pats a couple of years ago.

He joined the Vikings at the start of the scholarship programme in 2013.

Finney said: “Jake is a very intelligent rugby player and plays most of his rugby as a full back but is more than capable of playing in the centres or as half-back.

"Over the past two years Jake has produced some brilliant and exciting examples of what he is capable of and is certainly one to watch.”

Alder added: “Being a Wigan lad it was quite strange joining the Vikings to begin with but it didn’t take long at all for me to feel part of it and now we all get on really well even though we still play against each other for rival community clubs.

"I am really looking forward to moving into the Under 19 squad and starting my education programme at the Vikings.”

Runcorn and Widnes World:

Jake Alder

 

Second row Farnworth played all of his community rugby for Chorley Panthers where he had an excellent grounding in Rugby League.

Farnworth has been with the youth set up for the last two years and has consistently performed in the side as both an under fifteen and sixteen player.

Finney said: “Owen is a very direct player in both attack and defence but also has excellent handling ability which saw him earn a call up this year for England youth. I am very much looking forward to see how Owen progresses from the scholarship into the academy and beyond.”

Farnworth is looking forward to progressing through the Vikings ranks and said: “I have been at Widnes for two years and my game has improved massively in that time. We have a really good group of lads at the club and I am really pleased I am starting my professional career with Widnes Vikings.”

Runcorn and Widnes World:

Owen Farnworth

 

Stand off Roby developed his Rugby League ability through his involvement with Crosfields ARLFC.

Roby joined Widnes Vikings as a fourteen year old from Rylands and quickly became a very well respected member of the group.

He is a very skillful and competitive player who can play in a number of positions and has featured in almost every game for the Under 16s over the past two seasons.

Finney said: “Lloyd has an excellent attitude towards training which is clear to see in the progression he has made over the two years he has spent with us.

"Lloyd will continue to make great strides in his career if he continues to apply the same commitment that he has done so far. I have no doubt he has the ability to progress well at Widnes Vikings.”

Roby said: “Playing for the Vikings has been a great experience and I have been looked after really well since joining. I have had a really good time and enjoyed the experience so it was an easy decision for me to sign with the club and commit my immediate future.”

Runcorn and Widnes World:

Lloyd Roby