Widnes Vikings can confirm that the following players will depart the club at the end of the 2026 season.
Jack Owens #1030
After 11 years of impeccable service across two spells, our skipper will depart the club at the conclusion of the 2026 season.
Making his debut against Siddal in 2011 as a fresh faced 16 year old, Owens has gone on to represent the Vikings 227 times, scoring 97 tries, and a staggering 1069 total points.
After spells with Whitehaven, St Helens, Sheffield, and Leigh, Jack would return to the Vikings in 2019 and play a fundamental part in one of the most challenging periods in the club’s history.
In 2020, Owens would be handed the honour of captaining his hometown club, an honour he’s taken with both hands, now serving a seventh season as club captain.
Jack’s spirit and attitude, both on and off the pitch, embody everything it means to be a Widnes Vikings player. His mentorship, professionalism and leadership qualities have been invaluable to countless Vikings players, coaches and staff members throughout his 11 years with the club.
Owens leaves the Vikings as a true Widnes legend.
Everyone at the club would like to thank Jack for more than a decade of outstanding service in black and white and wish him the very best of luck in his next venture.
Nathan Connell #1207
Following the conclusion of the 2026 season, Nathan Connell will depart the club to take on a Super League opportunity with Bradford Bulls.
Connell joined the club at the beginning of this season and has gone on to score 20 tries in 26 appearances for the Vikings.
Everyone at the club would like to wish Nathan the best of luck in his newest venture.
Mike Butt #1165
Mike Butt will leave the club at the end of the season to take on an opportunity to play for his hometown club, Salford.
Butt joined the club in 2024 alongside head coach Allan Coleman, and has gone on to score 39 tries in 74 appearances for the Vikings.
Everyone at the club wishes Mike the best of luck for the future.
Jack Houghton #1209
Jack Houghton will depart the club at the end of the season.
Houghton joined the Vikings at the beginning of 2026, and has featured ten times for the Vikings
Everyone at the club would like to wish Jack the best of luck for the future.
Matty Fleming
Negotiations remain ongoing with Matty Fleming regarding a new contract.
Head coach Allan Coleman said: “I just want to wish all the players leaving us all the best in the future, I’m so grateful that they played a part in the history of our club, and a part of our season.
“They’ll always be a Viking in our eyes and we can’t thank them enough, we wish them all the best of luck in the future, and they go with our absolute best wishes.”
Once a Viking always a Viking
