Former Swinton Lions coach Tom Wood arrives at the Vikings, and will assist incoming head coach Allan Coleman in the DCBL Stadium dugout.
Signing a two-year deal with the club after helping Swinton stay in the Championship this season, Tom brings a range of experience spanning all levels of the game.
Allan Coleman commented on his assistant joining the Widnes ranks, saying; “It’s great that Tom has agreed to join me here at Widnes. We work really well together and believe in both the same standards and philosophy of play.”
“He’s a talented young coach who will bring so much to our playing group this year. He has very high expectations for everyone he works with, and that’s exactly what we’ll need next season to achieve the targets we’re wanting to set.”
Speaking on his relationship with Allan, Tom said that “Allan gave me my first real chance of being a professional coach around six or seven years ago, and we’ve been great friends ever since, so after two years together at Swinton I jumped at the chance to join him at Widnes.”
“I believe we have very similar attitudes towards the game, with the same values in attack and defence, and that can only stand us in good stead going forward with the Vikings.”
After Swinton stayed up on points difference in their very last game of the season, Tom reflected that “it was a tough, tough year, but to survive in the way we did was brilliant and a nice way to end my time at the club.”
“It showed just how important building a good squad to compete in this league is, and that’s our intention with Widnes – we have to improve and implement both the results and a style of play to make the fans proud.”
“There’s no doubt that Widnes are a sleeping giant of Rugby League, and at such a big club we need to aim high. We want to play in a way which will make the fans proud of their team, and build back towards a Super League place by getting the results we need.”
Tom is our first new face through the door for 2024, and with plenty more to follow, keep your eyes peeled on both our website & socials for updates throughout the next few weeks.
