Goole Vikings announce friendly with ambitious Championship side lined up as first opponents

Goole Vikings will play their first ever professional game against Featherstone Rovers, the club has revealed. The Vikings are readying themselves for their start of their first season in League One after being accepted into the professional ranks by the RFL earlier this year.

The already know they will begin their league season against Midlands Hurricanes at the Victoria Pleasure Ground. Goole will enter the Challenge Cup in the second round of the competition, too, with the club hosting the draw for the first two rounds of the competition next week.

However, they’ll play a pre-season friendly or two before they play their first competitive game, with Featherstone their first opponents. The Vikings will travel to the Millennium Stadium on Sunday, January 12, the Championship side hosting the game while work continues on Goole’s revamped ground.

It’s a clash that recreates a game played in the late 19th century when Goole RUFC and Featherstone RUFC joined the Northern Union and became rugby league clubs. The pair folded in 1902, but 127 years after first going head to head in the 13-man code, Goole and Featherstone will renew rivalries.

Of course, given the significant investment the Flat Cappers have made over the off-season, the friendly promises to be a huge test for Scott Taylor’s side, but as they prepare for the road ahead, they will be keen to test themselves against one of the best teams outside of Super League.

Featherstone will be in action against Super League side Huddersfield Giants a week later, it has been confirmed, with Luke Robinson taking his team across West Yorkshire on Saturday, January 18. Huddersfield have made six new signings, Taane Milne being the latest, with the Fiji international’s signing being announced on Friday morning, and they’ll be hoping for a competitive game against the Championship outfit, who have added the likes of Carlos Tuimavave and Derrell Olpherts.

Goole Vikings are expected to play one more friendly before their Challenge Cup second round tie.