Yep, pretty much.
Open books would have allowed the governing body to spot the disaster approaching before it got to this stage.

Raid them for Gelling.

Stay classy.

Just like all the other clubs did when we were in trouble you mean?

They aren't even officially in admin yet!
And two wrongs don't make a right.

The bigger question is why they re-signed Gelling when they knew that finances would be extremely tight on relegation

Rule was CEO wasn't he? If so that makes him an employee of the Widnes club, not a club owner. Would the RFL have a say in who a club employs as its CEO.

Seems like a poor choice by the Widnes directors to say the least.

As for Gelling I doubt we could afford him, Cas need a centre so I can see him gong there which leaves the way free for us to bring back Egodo for 2020.

Gelling on a reported £80k-£100k. As good a player as he is and the brilliant off field stuff we don't need him. Particualrly in the year we're competing with Toronto.. It just be a waste of money as we can't compete with them this year.

The problem Widnes have is when the vultures inevitably start picking off their players (even if they chose not to, Widnes will have to get rid of some as whoever takes over surely can't afford some of those big names) they already have a small squad as it is and could be left with kids. Then they fans have to endure them getting beaten up every week and sit and watch inevitable relegation. It's scary how much of a similar scenario it is to our own.

Can't see any other scenario for Widnes since the takeover fell through. If they go into admin that's a 12 point penalty. They'll lose some players and probably end up relegated. They'll hopefully get a new owner once the debts are written off but I expect them to be in L1 next year if they survive.

In terms of retaining their squad Widnes mat be 'fortunate' in, unlike us, they are having problems after the season has started and not pre-season. At this point most clubs have settled squads, or at least have spent up by now so the raids may not be quite so voracious.

It's right for us to bring in players that improve the squad. If he can come at the right price then we absolutely should raid them.

They don't have to be admin either. If they need money or need to reduce costs then it's simple economics.

You've got it all wrong mate. We are competing with them.
And we are competing with five or six other side's for top 5. It's about getting into position, and anything happens over a game. Ask Toronto.

Would Gelling improve the squad and help us get there?

Yes I would argue.

Would he give us an edge in big games?

Again I would argue yes.

I reckon bigger fish than us will be in touch with Gelling.

A lot depends on if they actually do go into Admin. If they do the administrator will need to cut losses so that's sacking of surplus staff. It could mean cutting of non surplus staff too as Mick Potter found out. Players will most probably be told that if they can get deals elsewhere then they should. Overseas players will probably get a dispensation to be off quota as Sammut did when he left us. I expect Gelling to end up at Cas or Catalans if there's no imminent buyer for Widnes.

Id love Tangata, Leuluai or Cahill

We'd have to offload a centre ourselves if we brought Gelling in - I can't see it happening.

Gelling will be snapped up by Catalans or Toronto

They've got some good youngsters like Ashall-Bott and Ince, but they'll probably end up at Saints or Wigan (and then farmed out on Dual-Reg for the season)

We [imight[/i be in with a shout for people like Cahill or Tangata - but do we really need / want them right now?

News coming out of Widnes from Gareth Walker on Twitter:

Insolvency company O'Hara's are hosting a press conference with performance director Phil Finney. Peter O'Hara says: "The club has simply run out of money. We have secured the wages for this month but other than that there are no funds whatsoever."

Insurance remains the reason for Widnes not being able to play at the moment, and unless investors come forward that will not change. The upcoming Super League parachute payment may not be released to the club as well.

Club now in administration and will be liquidated next week if mot investment found https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/47323878 Seems depressingly familiar to us...

Club now in administration and will be liquidated next week if mot investment found https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/47323878 Seems depressingly familiar to us...

Quote ="paulwalker71"Club now in administration and will be liquidated next week if mot investment found https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/47323878 Seems depressingly familiar to us...'" Dreadful news for the sport and the Widnes RL community.

Quote ="paulwalker71"Club now in administration and will be liquidated next week if mot investment found https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/47323878 Seems depressingly familiar to us...'" Dreadful news for the sport and the Widnes RL community.

I get the feeling that JK still isn't happy with his forwards - he won't have been pleased with the damage Sheffield did to us down the middle.

Quote ="paulwalker71"Club now in administration and will be liquidated next week if mot investment found https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/47323878 Seems depressingly familiar to us...'" Here we go again. Another club with a proud heritage, let down by management.

Quote ="paulwalker71"Club now in administration and will be liquidated next week if mot investment found https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/47323878 Seems depressingly familiar to us...'" Here we go again. Another club with a proud heritage, let down by management.

Same old story.

Depressing to see.

Dreadful for Widnes players, staff and supporters. They have been fierce opponents in the past. I am 60 so have seen some epic matches even from the Northern days. If we pick up some talent from it so be it. The players will need employment.

On the subject of finances I see Marc Green is the subject of a bankruptcy order https://m.thegazette.co.uk/notice/3160586

On the subject of finances I see Marc Green is the subject of a bankruptcy order https://m.thegazette.co.uk/notice/3160586

Poor Widnes. An all too familiar story. I hope they get sorted.

And good old RFL - docking 12 points. Always on hand to kick struggling clubs when they are down.