Widnes return home confirmed

They have played the first half of their debut campaign in the EVO-STIK League West Division away from home in Barnton as the artificial pitch at their home was relaid.

Chairman Ian Ross said, “I firstly wanted to say a massive thank you on behalf of everyone at the club to Steve Lloyd, Mike Alcock, Pete Lewis, Jayne Harrison and the rest of the guys at Barnton FC who came to our aid at the 11th hour last March, when we first became aware that there was going to be issues surrounding the Pitch at the Halton Stadium.

“It’s always difficult having tenants, but they, to a man, have all been brilliant with us and we are eternally grateful for the effort they all put in on our behalf this season. Barnton will always be a special place for me anyway, but even more so now as a part of the history of Widnes FC too.

“I’d also like to pass on our thanks the Evo-Stik League committee who bent over backwards to help us overcome our difficult start to life in this league. Keith Brown in particular helped us navigate the process from start to finish and was personally a great support throughout.

“I also wanted to go on record and thank Lee Coombes from the Halton Stadium and Cllr Phil Harris who have helped us get back playing at the stadium. It’s always easy to blame the council when things don’t go to plan, but they each toiled on our behalf when things went against us through no fault of their own.

“Finally I’d like to thanks the fans, players, management, committee members and volunteers who have stayed with us through this testing period for the club.

“It’s been difficult for everyone involved, in essence playing every game away from home, and I’m sure now that we will back playing at home again things will settle down for us all.

“Away from the pitch issue the Club have been working tirelessly to build for the future and 2019 promises to be an exciting year for us all, one I’m convinced we can look back on in years to come as the year the whole club moved up a notch.”

The full list of remaining Widnes home fixtures below...

Widnes v Trafford - Saturday 2nd February
Widnes v Mossley - Saturday 9th February
Widnes v Leek Town - Saturday 23rd February
Widnes v Skelmersdale United - Saturday 16th March
Widnes v Atherton Collieries - Saturday 6th April
Widnes v Colne - Saturday 20th April
Widnes v Kendal Town - Saturday 27th April

The dates for the Liverpool Senior Cup tie with Everton, and the postponed fixture at home to Droylsden are TBC.