Widnes Vikings are delighted to announce we have appointed former players Eddie Kilgannon and Ste Tyrer as the final members of Allan Coleman’s coaching staff for 2024.
Eddie Kilgannon, 46, who came up through the ranks at Widnes, will be working at every training session with the rest of the performance team and players.
Kilgannon, who also played for Blackpool Panthers and Chorley Lynx is from Widnes and has recently coached scholarship and academy at St Helens said: “I’m really excited to take up the role, I’m a Widnes lad and lifelong fan so I’m looking forward to the opportunity.
“I was really impressed with Allan, he’s obviously got a fair bit of experience behind him now and everyone knows how good a job he did at Swinton.
“We’re on the same page and share quite similar ideas so I think we will work well together.
“I’ll bring a good eye for detail and I will be looking to keep those high standards that Allan and the rest of the staff ask for.”
On the appointment of Kilgannon, Head Coach Allan Coleman said: “It is fantastic to get Eddie. He’s been working in the St Helens youth system for the last couple of years and everyone knows how successful that youth system is.
“He’s a Widnes fan at heart, so it was vital that we got the right person in. I have no doubt he will slot in with myself and Tom perfectly.”
TYRER JOINS IN MATCHDAY ROLE
In addition, former player Ste Tyrer has also joined the coaching team. Tyrer, 34, will have a specific match-day role with the team but will also become part of the wider coaching setup.
An adopted Widnesian, this will be Tyrer’s first professional coaching position and one he is keen to make the most of.
Tyrer played for the Vikings on loan in 2008 and 2009 and had a permanent stint with the club between 2021-2022, before calling time on his playing career.
He said: “I’ve lived in Widnes for 15 years now; my kids are from here so it’s practically my hometown.
“I always had a lot of pride when I played for Widnes, and I intend to carry that through to my coaching. I have a lot of friends still at the club and it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.
“Every time I’ve spoken with Allan it’s flowed really well and we share similar values in how we want to see Rugby League played.”
On his matchday role, Tyrer explained: “I’ll be running messages and getting on to players when they need information from Allan and his staff, getting involved in the warm-up and just being a positive influence on the place.”
Allan Coleman added: “As soon as I found out Ste Tyrer was interested, it was a no-brainer for me to get him on board.
“He will come in on matchdays for us, bringing his experience of the matchday environment to work with our staff.
“I’m over the moon with him coming in, he knows the club and it is vital we keep that gel and that connection with the people of Widnes.”
Both Kilgannon and Tyrer have extensive contacts in the local community game and the Vikings will be looking to utilise these connections as we continue to grow our relationship with community clubs.
Moorfield Tigers, West Bank Bears, and Halton Farnworth Hornets all have had teams training with Vikings coaching staff and players at the DCBL Stadium in recent weeks.
Everyone at the club is thrilled to have Eddie and Ste on board!
