Martyn Sadler at the League Express is suggesting that the company are rumoured to be in talks with the RFL to take over engage as SL's main sponsor.



If it was true, I wonder what it'd mean for the Vikings? I hear that SOC has cut his ties with Stobart in recent weeks, though I didn't read the story fully. I assume we're still to be sponsored by Stobart for the foreseeable future? And will our sponsorship deal improve, now that we're in the top flight?

SO'C is still a director of Stobart and still a share holder he's just decreases his stake to below 3% so as a shareholder has less influence now is all. No pointvreading explanations on trust as peoples fantasies take over





From what I gather a lot of Widnes sponsorship deals (Inc O'Neils) are ip for renewal for 2012, obviously designed to see what division we will be in. I'm not sure how long Stobart's deals are for club & stadium so as with a lot of things only time will tell!



The one thing I did hear some time last year was Stobart to sponsor SL & Tesco (who have a Stobart contract?) would then sponsor the Vikings. Purely rumour though.

Just to add to that and sorry for diverging (slightly):



I've heard the Tesco one and that was way back, maybe early last year. The Stobart / SL link has been bubbling away for a while too. As for the kit at the time I believe that we approached Adidas about producing the kit but they wanted too much money to produce an initial mock-up. We then opted for Nike to produce the black kit. SOC has since said that the kit for 2012 was decided in 2008 (presumably the first season in SL in mind). Using an educated guess I'd say that Nike or Adidas will be making the kit next year. Not sure where the shop would fit in though and whether/how the club would plan to use this, that is if the club choose not to renew the O'Neills deal. I wouldn't mind an Umbro number myself. Do some decent training gear and t-shirts etc.

We should go with whichever kit designer can generate us the most cash. O'Neills have been great for Widnes. But I wonder whether a smart nike / puma / adidas kit could perhaps generate us even more in shirt sales? We could ask O'Neill's to carry on in some fashion, perhaps producing the new retro kits as part of the stronghold membership.

Cotton Traders are doing the stronghold shirts. i agree vic, umbro would be great as adidas and nike charge taking prices even for basic training gear, at least umbro still tend towards real world pricing.

Umbro still make rugby gear? correct me If I'm wrong...

I have been very pleased with O'Neils and would prefer them to Nike (example) for a few reasons, cost as has been mentioned and also the fact they seem happy to go that bit further, retro shirts, various t-shirt designs, key rings, car stickers etc etc.



Ideally we wan't a brand that will focus what they do on Widnes! Not simply grab whatever template they have change the badge for whichever club suits and throw it out at top prices.



Though as mentioned whatever deal is best for the club is all that matters really!

no ricardo, umbro dont. i was just agreeing with vics suggestion that it would be pleasing if they did.

indeed j20, you only have to look at football to see what adidas and nike get up too. the exact same design just with different colors, worn by nearly every team. and they demand top dollor.

Exactly! Your likes of Liverpool, United and Chelsea etc wil always get a bit more say and differing designs but Adidas do Stoke, Newcastle, Derby & Boro too and all kits look virtually identical or are often very simialr to kits a top side will have had the year before!

and most of the time they only have crappy printed crests and sponsors anyway, that start curmbling after a few washes.

I suspect that was just for the mock up on the flier. It's the Barbarians rugby union shirt.

Puma fella