Former Super League forward returns to Championship club as bold ambition made

Widnes Vikings have re-signed a former Super League forward, as their push for a return to the top division continues.

The Vikings, who were one of seven Championship clubs to submit an application to be part of Super League next year, have already made great strides into improving on-the-field by signing former England international Jordan Abdull.

The former Man of Steel nominee took a year out of the game, after being released from his contract at Hull FC on the eve of the Super League season back in February.

Now, he will be joined by another man with top flight experience, as Jay Chapelhow returns to the club after five seasons away.

A graduate of the Vikings academy, Chapelhow has spent the last five years of his career at Newcastle Thunder and Oldham, and has amassed 100 appearances, switching between the second and third tier.

Making his Widnes debut in 2015, he made 82 appearances for the Cheshire-based outfit, 38 of which came in Super League.

Jay is the twin brother of Ted Chapelhow, who also came through at the Vikings, and as it stands will be the first season in either of the two’s careers that they will not be on the same team.

Speaking on his move back to the club, he said:  “I’m absolutely buzzing to be back with Widnes. This is my hometown team, the place where I made my Super League debut, and gave me the chance to play at Wembley. I’ve got so many great memories here, and I can’t wait to get started.

“The ambition the club has is really impressive. When I compare what it was like six years ago to now, it’s incredible to see the transformation.

“The ambition is to get this club back to Super League, so it’s going to be really exciting.”