New hands at the helm on the way

The Vikings chairman and vice-chairman returned to the EVO-STIK League North club nearly two years ago as part of new consortium led by the two sons of former chairman Mike Norman, Richard and Andy.

The duo - both former chairman at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds - took charge again after the brothers and co-chairmen left last year before stabilising the club's finances.

In a statement on Sunday announcing the upcoming summer shake-up, officials at the division's basement side said the pair believed the time was right for a change at the top and would be willing to hand over their shareholdings and write off any loans to the club to the right successor or successors.

The Vikings said: "The club has been informed that its two directors and major shareholders Craig Whincup and Steve Shorthouse will be stepping down from their positions at the end of the current season.

"Chairman Steve Shorthouse told club members at a recent meeting that the decision was not taken lightly but both feel that they can offer no more to the club and the time is right for someone with more energy to come in and take the club forward.

"When they took over the club it was in a financial mess and massively in debt, it is now debt free and both are willing to hand over their shareholding in the club to the right person or people, whilst also writing off all their loans. The club now invites anyone with any interest in taking over the club to contact them."

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