The 1970s and 1980s were golden eras for Widnes, who had had to wait over a century for such sustained success following their formation in 1873.

This trophy-laden era really kicked off in 1975, when, with the likes of local youngsters Reg Bowden, Mick Adams, Ray Dutton, Eric Hughes, Keith Elwell and Doug Laughton on board, they landed the Lancashire Cup and Challenge Cup in the same season.

Widnes also reached Wembley the following two seasons, but were out of luck against St Helens and Leeds, and instead had to be satisfied with the Lancashire Cup and John Player Trophy.

However, Widnes claimed their first ever League title in 1978 and then they excelled themselves in 1978-79, lifting four trophies the BBC2 Floodlit Trophy, Lancashire Cup, Challenge Cup and Premiership.

They repeated their Premiership success the following season and the 1980s continued with a further Wembley win, this time over Hull KR in their fifth Challenge Cup final in seven years.

Hull FC, got the better of the Widnes Vikings a season later when, after their Wembley clash ended 14-14, Hull went on to win the replay 18-9 at Elland Road, Leeds. Widnes maintained their record of a trophy a season in that period with revenge wins over Hull in the 1982 and 1983 Premiership finals. A further Wembley victory followed in 1984 against Wigan

There were four barren years until, with Laughton, now coach, and Martin Offiah netting a club-record 42 tries, they won the Championship and beat St Helens in the Premiership final at Old Trafford in 1987-88.

Laughton then persuaded Wales rugby union star Jonathan Davies to sign for £225,000 and he was rewarded with another Championship-Premiership double, the title race going down to the final game of the season, when they beat Wigan, before overcoming Hull 18-10 in the Premiership final.

This qualified the Vikings for a World Club Challenge clash against Australian side Canberra Raiders, which they won 30-18.

However, the 1990s saw the club beset by financial problems and a majority of the squad having to be sold off to ease the debts.

To make matters worse, they missed the cut-off point for Super League and spent the next five seasons in the Northern Ford Premiership.

The Widnes Vikings won promotion to the Super League in 2001 under Neil Kelly and did well in their first season by finishing ninth, but by 2005 the club were back in National League One.