Spruce takes reins at Widnes

STUART Spruce has taken over as caretaker coach at Widnes Vikings following the sacking of Neil Kelly.

And the former Great Britain star fancies the job on a pemanent basis.

Kelly was dismissed following the Vikings' 56-8 home defeat by Wigan Warriors on Saturday.

Spr uce, wh o was appointed as Kelly's number two just a matter of weeks ago following the resignation of John Myler, took full charge of his first training session yesterday.

He told the ECHO: "The club have offered me the chance to do the job on a caretaker basis and if things go well there is the possibility of a full-time appointment.

"There is just me and (fitness conditioner) Brian Jones at the moment but I will speak to the chairman and see if I can get some extra help.

"The players know they got Neil the sack. He couldn't have done much more for them. He brought the players to the club in good faith and because they haven't been performing for him he has had to take the fall."

Widnes face a difficult trip to Huddersfield this Sunday but Spruce is expecting a fully-committed performance.

"Even if they didn't want to play for Neil, realistically they know they have got to start performing," he insisted.

"Many of them are playing for contracts. The chairman has told them there will be no contract negotiations until the end of the season.

"We need to get the club away from the relegation zone and they are playing for their futures."

Spruce admits he was looking to cut his teeth on the first-team coaching ladder under Kelly's wing but has found himself with a possible chance to fast-track his coaching career.

"The opportunity has come a bit out of the blue," he added. "I didn't expect to be taking charge of the first team because I thought Neil would be here for a few years to come.

"I feel sorry for Neil and whoever gets him as a coach next is going to be getting a great coach."

The Vikings are more than capable of going on a winning run at the back end of the season, given their fixture schedule.

Spruce could just find himself in the right place at the right time.