WIDNES kick off their competitive year this weekend when amateur kingpins West Hull visit the Auto Quest for the Challenge Cup third round tie.

It will be only the second game for Colin Whitfield's new look squad, following the victory over Oldham.

And Colin is relishing the build up to his first full season at the helm.

The squad has undergone a close-season transformation, with seven new faces joining and a host of others leaving the club.

He told the World:

"This week everything is for real. The players are playing for the positions" - Whitfield

Despite the Oldham victory, Colin feels that improvements will come when players grow used to each other.

"We are hopeful that we can progress with a bit more cohesion," he said.

"There were a lot of mistakes made against Oldham and we were a bit disorganised but everyone is on board now and we are hopeful we can take this club forward."

Colin felt that the referee against Oldham failed to allow the game to flow, but thought his defence performed reasonably.

"What didn't give us any cohesion was the fact that there were seven new players in the side."

Colin added that a few people he had met in Widnes afterwards had expressed disappointment with the game, but he pointed out that defensive solidity gave the side a good platform.

And the boss has a line-up in mind: "I've more than likely made my mind up but there are a couple of positions. Kevin O'Loughlin has got a plaster cast on his thumb and they won't know the results until a couple of days time, so he is probably doubtful."

Widnes take on West Hull at the Auto Quest this Sunday, January 31, 3pm kick-off. Meanwhile, the club is still advertising its revised Millennium Club membership for 1999. There are only 48 original memberships available for either a two or five year period.

Millennium Club members gain admission to every Vikings match at the Auto Quest Stadium and also have the use of the Millennium Suite before, during and after the match.

This is an inflation proof investment for the future and by purchasing a membership you will be helping the club's drive for Super League which, in turn, will add to the value of the purchase if the Vikings regain their place in the top flight.

Commercial manager Harold Lynskey said: "Whether you are a committed Viking supporter who wishes to pamper yourself or a loved one, or a business person looking for a perk for employees, or a day out for the clients, the Millennium Club represents a great deal in every sense."

Every Millennium Club member is acknowledged in home match programmes and a two year Silver Millennium Membership costs £350 plus VAT (£411.25) for adults or £190 plus VAT (£223.25) concessions. Five year Gold membership is £850 plus VAT (£998.75) and £461.96 plus VAT (£542.80) concessions.

Existing Silver Millennium members can upgrade to Gold for a further five years for the discounted amount of £500 plus vat (£587.50)

New members this year are FJ Coleman, Mr and Mrs Williams, Northwich, SN Riding, Billy Durbin, James, Jackie and John Nolan, Cheshire Site Preparations from Warrington.

On Sunday the club shop opens at 12.30pm where you can purchase a season ticket for 1999 with prices from £90 saving £50 for adults South Stand wing.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.