What are your thoughts?

Played well today and scored some fantastic tries. Could have been a number of MOM. thought Gaskell was back to his best i thought.

As for the announcement, its certainly something different and new and i am personally looking forward to it. Will make us a sustainable club if SOC was to ever leave.

An extract from the flier.

"Today we are launching the "Viking stronghold" a genuine club membership aimed at delivering the Viking's stratergy and protecting and nurturing a lifelong bond with our supporters, old and new. The membership aims to make the sport affordable by spreading the cost and benefits throughout the whole year and delivering fabulous value for money. Membership will entitle fans to attend all home games in Super League and inital rounds of the Challenge cup.

Membership benefits will also include a free exclusive Viking stronghold retro shirt, electronic matchday programme, team sheets by text, Board member recognition as well as many, many other exclusive offers and opportunities. It also has no minimum period, you really can leave if you consider that the club is not delivering value, although we would welcome your patience!

In order to commit to 2012 expenditure it is vital for the club to understand our potential revenue. We really need a minimum of 7,000 members to join us in order to commit to a recruitment stratergy utilising the full salary cap. Normal membership will be £17.99 per month, early bird offer for those joining before 31st May will be £15.99 per month until November 2011. Current season ticket holders will enjoy exclusive discounts if they pledge to join paying only £13.99 per month by May 31st 2011. these offers are guaranteed for three years and will not be subject to any joining fees.

Game itself was very professional and that's what we needed after recent results.

As for the stronghold I think it's a great idea, getting 7,000 to sign up to it will be tough but I'll be urging as many people as I can to get on board. It only works out at 14 quid for me as I'm a season ticket holder. Spending the full salary cap is huge so we need people to sign on board.

exclusive jersey, team sheet by text, discounts on merch, programs by e mail. whats not to like? its a great idea

and works out a lot cheaper than paying for 13 tickets at superleague prices, even before you factor in the cost of the goodies you get.

Correct. We had 4000 fans there today and hopefully there are 3000 people in widnes and surrounding areas who are excited by the prospect of SL and will jump on board. I'm liking the discounts and the free retro shirt also. Im in.

Yep I'm definitely in, Steve is a great forward thinking guy.

Loving that retro shirt.

Cracking idea!

It will be difficult to get so many fans in for our first season, but I would assume there‘d be some form of major marketing initiative to follow.

It is also a direct answer to those whom ask the question [i“what would you do if Steve O’Connor walked out?” [/i

Well it is now clear that he intends on staying for good, but is also trying to ensure that the club will thrive regardless.

I’m in!

A very interesting idea and a very good initiative by the club. I'm a little wary of ridding season tickets outright, and as my brother pointed out, we could have different levels of membership because fans who live far away from the town still might want to contribute, and are kids paying the full whack? But it's certainly something I am interested in. Far better for the existing ST holder IMHO.

As for the game, immense. Champagne stuff from kick off.

Hopefully stu will put on some highlights, champagne rugby indeed.

Full views later ;D!

But for note heard in social club after that concessions will be £8 and kids £5 per month! Top prices tbh when you factor in discount on merchandise as well.

Wonder how much your standard SL season ticket is?

My season ticket this year was 156? i think. There was going to be price hold for next year for season ticket holders. £13.99 a month for 12 months is £168 a year, however this is frozen for 3 years so it works out cheaper in the long run

My family ticket was supposed to be 'price frozen' for SL.
1 adult, 2 kids for £210???

That's better. I was hoping for some sort of discount for kids, that'd would make sense. If thats the case, then bring it on. I absolutely love the idea from a personal perspective, I just hope the town takes to it because being a member rather than a season ticket holder somehow appeals more. It encourages you to get a little more involved and those shirts look magnificent.

Obviously for people like Steken this scheme would not benefit him personally however I'm sure if you contacted the club something could be done as you were guaranteed a price freeze.

Sorry I sounded negative!
Assuming they honour the freeze, I'll be signing wifey up for a new membership as well.

To be fair though you was guaranteed a price for next year and this way would cost you more so your bound to be concerned.

The price freeze is now the lower prices for current season tickets.

Yes but thats £168 a year. His family ticket this year was 175 for him and 2 kids.That will evidently rise as a result of the new scheme.

My mistake, Family ticket was £210

New would be £168 for adult and 2x£60 for kids = £288?

I'm sure they will honour these things though when full details come out, after all they want more fans not less and I want to get one for the Mrs next season!

You are not forced to join, you can still pay in full if you wish.

From the FAQ on official website:

Q2 - I am an existing ‘Season Ticket Holder’ and want to continue as a season ticket holder – What should I do?

You don’t need to do anything but we will require you to pay the price freeze offer of £156 in full by the end of December 2011. We really would like you to become a member and be part of our Viking Stronghold.

One query i do have is it says you can leave if you feel you are not getting value for money. Wont this just encourage more fans to pull out of the scheme through the off season? I hope not just a little confused on how theyre going to get around that.

Id guess there is no joining fee to begin, but if you leave and comeback there would be some sort of penalty. The leaflet diddnt exactly give full details did it.

Think your right there will be something in place preventing this from happening

Registered my interest in the scheme anyway. Seems all in all to be a very good idea.