A former Super League winger has joined up with League 1 side Goole Vikings as they hunt down a spot in the play-offs this season.
Ex Hull FC, Warrington Wolves and Wakefield Trinity winger Tom Lineham joins the Vikings as he makes his return to rugby league.
The 33-year-old has taken some time out of the game after a spell at Championship side York Knights last season, and now links up with former teammates Jamie Shaul, Jack Aldous, Thomas Minns and Andre Savelio at the Vikings.
Speaking to the League 1 side’s media, he said: “It has come at a good time for both me and the club. I have taken some time off from my new profession to devote some time to the Vikings to help them continue their great run of form.
“We want a big finish to the season, and I am looking forward to playing my part.
“The Vikings is an exciting project, I know a lot of people here, and a new challenge with a club local to me is something different that really appealed to me.”
Former Super League players link up at League 1 club Goole Vikings
Whilst both Lineham and head coach Scott Taylor played at Hull FC, they were never teammates, with Lineham leaving in 2015 and Taylor joining ahead of the 2016 season.
Speaking on his signing, Taylor said: “Tom is a huge bonus for us and will add a great deal to our squad now and hopefully in the future.
“It presents a great opportunity for him and for us to get to see where he is at, but his experience speaks for itself.
“He is in fantastic shape, he has his hunger back, and he is ready to make his mark; he has the ability to be a real game-changer at this level.
With nearly 200 Super League games under his belt and 150 career tries, Lineham will bring a wealth of experience to the League 1 side, despite not playing since late 2024.
The League 1 boss added: “It gives us some good options in the back line, with Manoa Wacokecoke unavailable at the moment and without being able to guarantee that we can always call on Neil Tchamambe.
“Tom’s arrival helps us maintain that depth and competition for places.”
Lineham is expected to go straight into the Vikings squad to face Rochdale Hornets this weekend.
