INSPIRATIONAL Vikings stars Mark Smith and Dennis Moran have committed their futures to the club - regardless of the league they are playing in next year.

Smith, 25 and Moran, 29, were joined by Jordan James, who has impressed since arriving from Wigan, in signing dual contracts to stay at the Halton Stadium at least for the 2007 season.

The hooker and standoff's contracts automatically become two-year deals should Widnes gain promotion to Super League this year.

A club spokesperson said: "All three players have signed dual contracts, with Smith and Moran's being for two years if in Super League."

Smith, who has attracted interest from numerous top flight clubs after his consistently imperious form this year, said he was delighted to be remaining a Viking.

"Although I've signed dual contracts I'm determined that the Super League one will be the one I'm playing under next year," he said.

"There was quite a lot of interest from other clubs but I always wanted to stay here."

Aussie Moran, who has already crossed 16 times since arriving in the national league from Wigan, was also excited about the deal.

"It's great to be staying here and I'm really looking forward to the play-offs and the next two years."

James, 26, who intitially signed on loan with fellow second rower Oliver Wilkes in May, said Widnes' big club potential played an important part in staying.

"Widnes is definitely a Super League club and that is where I see my future," he said.

It was the second piece of good news in seven days for Vikings chairman Stephen Vaughan after the club's Super League application was approved by the RFL last week.

"This is a great club and I'm delighted Mark, Dennis and Jordan have penned new deals," he said.

"For too many years we have had to build an entire squad at the end of each season. With the retention of the lads plus the on-going negotiations with several agents we are already building for next season."

Vaughan said the budget he, financial controller Pete Barrow and general manager Pat Cluskey submitted to the RFL would ensure Widnes could 'compete with the other Super League clubs on an equal footing' next season should they win the Grand Final.

Meanwhile the promotion race has been reduced to three teams after Whitehaven had their application declined by the RFL and two other play-off hopefuls withdrew theirs.