WIDNES Vikings sensationally lost four directors from its board after talks at Halton Stadium last night.

Former chairman Tony Chambers, managing director Tom Fleet, and directors Alan Gregson and Graham Ashton have all stepped down.

Speaking on behalf of the outgoing men, the club said in a statement that all four had left by mutual consent

"The Directors felt that following Stephen Vaughan's acquisition of a majority shareholding earlier this year the time had come to reduce the size of the Board and for Stephen to be seen to be in full control."

Vaughan, the Chairman, is said to have reassured them of his continued committment to the club and thanked them for their services.

Other changes include financial controller Peter Barrow taking over Jim Quinn's role as company secretary and Pat Cluskey being given wider responsibilities as General Manager, includer those relinquished by Fleet.

Cluskey will work closely with head coach Steve McCormack on football matters and represent the club at Rugby League council meetings.

The new-look, streamlined board comprises of Vaughan (chairman), Sam Evans (vice chairman), Peter Knowles, Lol Ogburn and Jim Quinn.

For more on this story read next week's Runcorn and Widnes World.