Goole Vikings chief govt James Clark says this weekend’s Challenge Cup tie at Super League aspect Warrington Wolves is a “great reward” for the recently-revamped membership.
The East Riding outfit head to nine-time winners Warrington in spherical 4 on Saturday (14:00 GMT) in a recreation switched to Wolves’ 15,000-seater Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Goole have been arrange in 2018 and Clark, a former CEO at Hull FC, joined them two years in the past after they efficiently utilized to affix the professional ranks in first League 1 final yr and now the expanded Championship in 2026.
He instructed BBC Radio Merseyside their 18-14 victory over Halifax within the earlier spherical summed up the membership’s rise.
“It was the first time I’d really seen it come together,” Clark stated. “I really saw and felt that vibe, seeing the lads really fight for each other.
“We set out a yr earlier to construct a group from scratch – we had six weeks to do it, and we wished a group that had a powerful tradition, wasn’t concerning the cash, was about being in it collectively and giving these younger lads an opportunity.”
Goole’s head coach is former Hull KR, Wigan, Hull FC and England player Scott Taylor.
Clark says Taylor has done a remarkable job with the Goole squad, which includes former Wire player Andre Savelio.
“For me, the draw was nearly a little bit of a reward for Scott and the boys, and seeing how far we have come,” he added.
“It’s additionally nice for everybody else on the membership. You can think about at this degree once you’re model new and have not received some huge cash, you are counting on volunteers. We have a small junior part within the membership as properly.
“It’s great to play a team like Warrington Wolves, led by Sam Burgess, one of the superstars of the game.
“We’re developing towards the nine-time winners, so it is a fantastic alternative for the membership and the gamers, and hopefully one thing the city can get behind and assist us develop the game on this space.”
