50-869: Ackers is a surname. People with this surname include: Andy Ackers (born 1993), British rugby player Benjamin St John Ackers (1839–1915), British Member of Parliament (MP) for West Gloucestershire, 1885 Gary Ackers (1939–2011), American professor of biochemistry Harriet Ackers, later known as Jean Acker , film actress and estranged wife of Rudolf Valentino Heinz Ackers , West German canoer James Ackers (1811–1868), British Member of Parliament (MP) for Ludlow, 1841–1847 See also [ edit ] Ackers Crossing , village in parish of Moreton cum Alcumlow, Cheshire, England Acker , similar name Aker (disambiguation) Akers (disambiguation) [REDACTED] Surname list This page lists people with
100-771: A 12–0 lead but were then swept aside as Widnes stormed home 30–18 to become the first official World Club Champions . Widnes continued to be competitive winning the Lancashire Cup against Salford (1991) and the Regal Trophy against Leeds (1992). Widnes were also runners up in the League Championship and Premiership (1991) and the Challenge Cup (1993). After losing 3 Challenge Cup semifinals in 1987, 1989 and 1991, this belated trip to Wembley in 1993 came too late to avert financial problems. To balance
150-509: A 54–6 victory over Whitehaven at Bloomfield Road stadium and went on to reach the National League Grand Final at the end of the season. They were beaten 42–10 by Castleford at Headingley and in the days that followed, Widnes had no option but to place themselves into voluntary administration. On 2 November 2007, Widnes were purchased by Steve O'Connor, a local business man who had just sold his haulage firm to
200-599: A cup every season by defeating Hull 23–8 in the Premiership final. The next season saw Hull again beaten by Widnes in the Premiership final. Vince Karalius returned to the club in March 1983 as co-coach with Harry Dawson. Dawson quit as coach in March 1984 with Karalius continuing as team manager. Karalius led a strong Widnes side to the finals of the Lancashire Cup and John Player Trophy and another Wembley victory appearance 19–6 against Wigan . Doug Laughton returned to
250-792: A few days after his release. The move was criticised by London Broncos, as Ackers had initially requested his release in order to spend more time with his family in the north of England. In both seasons in the Championship his team made the finals stages. His first season saw his club beaten by 4 points at 2 in the Million Pound Game with Ackers sinbinned in the final for a high tackle. His second season saw his club beat part-time Featherstone to be promoted. His third season saw Toronto lose all their Super League games and become hot favourites for relegation. Ackers suddenly left in June 2020;
300-475: A few weeks before the events at Toronto that would see them ultimately liquidated. On 4 June 2020, Ackers left Toronto and signed a contract with Salford that would run until 2022. Following an impressive start to the 2022 season it was announced Ackers had signed one-year contract extension with Salford Red Devils which would keep him at the AJ Bell Stadium until the end of the 2023 season. In
350-592: A field at Lowerhouse Lane before moving to their third separate site on that road in October 1895. The first ever game at what later became Naughton Park was against Liversedge on Saturday 12 October 1895. In 1895, Widnes were founder members of the Northern Union which broke away from the Rugby Football Union . Their first game was an away fixture against Runcorn which they lost 15–4. During
400-436: A play-off place, and finishing seventh. The following season saw them consolidate with a 9th place finish, and in 2004 they avoided relegation on the final day of the season, with Castleford's defeat by Wakefield Trinity saving Widnes' fate. Stuart Spruce was caretaker manager. Frank Endacott arrived at Widnes as coach in 2005, but could not improve on the previous seasons. With two teams being relegated in 2005, due to
450-491: A single first-team appearance. Ackers then signed with Warrington after a successful trial and captained their under-19s team in 2013. In the 2014 season, Ackers joined Championship side Swinton Lions on loan before signing a permanent deal with the club a year later. Over a two-year period, he scored 26 tries in 56 games. Ackers became a full time professional as a 23-year-old at the London Broncos signing for
500-498: A take-over of Widnes in 2006 and the club made it to the LHF National League Grand Final, but were beaten 29–16 by Hull Kingston Rovers at Warrington's Halliwell Jones Stadium . Stephen Vaughan quit as chairman of Widnes at the start of 2007 and stepped down from the club's board of directors, placing the club's season into a 'boom or bust' scenario. Widnes won the 2007 Northern Rail Cup Final with
550-658: Is different from Wikidata All set index articles Andy Ackers Andrew Ackers (born 25 December 1993) is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays as a hooker for the Leeds Rhinos in the Super League and represents England at the international level. He has previously played for the Swinton Lions in the Championship and Championship 1 , the London Broncos in
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#1732791620446600-685: The Betfred Championship . The club plays home matches at DCBL Stadium . Founded as Widnes Football Club, they are one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895. Their historic nickname is "The Chemics" after the main industry in Widnes, but now they use their modern nickname, "The Vikings". The club enjoyed a period of success in the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s, and were frequently described as "Cup Kings" reaching
650-539: The Challenge Cup Final 7 times in 10 years between 1975 and 1984. In 1989, after winning their third Rugby League Premiership , Widnes became the first official World Club Champions by beating the Australian champions Canberra Raiders 30–18 at Old Trafford . They have a strong local rivalry with Warrington Wolves . The Farnworth & Appleton Cricket Club was formed in 1871 and four years later
700-543: The Co-operative Championship culminated in September 2011 with a fifth place league finish, and a first round playoff defeat of 36–20 against Sheffield at Bramall Lane . February 2012 saw Widnes' re-emergence into the top tier of rugby league, and they claimed their first two points against Wigan in a 37–36 win. The club managed to prove a number of critics wrong by gaining 12 points in total by
750-409: The surname Ackers . If an internal link intending to refer to a specific person led you to this page, you may wish to change that link by adding the person's given name (s) to the link. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ackers&oldid=1068950813 " Category : Surnames Hidden categories: Articles with short description Short description
800-500: The 1934 cup final. In 1935–36, the team came close to being rugby league champions. Having finished third in the table, Widnes beat Liverpool 10–9 but lost to Hull FC , in the championship final. A third trip to Wembley came in 1937, with an 18–5 win over Keighley . The final was dubbed "McCue's Match" as the halfback played an important part in the win. Widnes dropped out of the wartime Lancashire league in 1940–41 and did not return to league competition until 1945–46. Tommy McCue led
850-538: The 1971–72 Lancashire Cup . Six years after he retired from playing Vince Karalius returned to Widnes as coach; appointed in January 1972. The following two seasons, Widnes reached the finals of the BBC2 Floodlit Trophy . The first success came in the 1975 Lancashire Cup which Widnes won by beating Salford that season. They also won the 1975 Challenge Cup final 14–7 versus Warrington at Wembley. This
900-441: The 2012–14 seasons and Denis Betts was confirmed as the man who would coach the club. A flourish of new signings were announced and the pioneering 'Viking Stronghold' initiative moved from strength to strength. Widnes also installed a fourth generation artificial pitch (or ipitch as it became known) during the off season, making them the first team in modern day rugby league to not play on a traditional grass pitch. Widnes' tenancy in
950-769: The 2016 and 2017. It was announced on 9 May 2016, that Ackers extended his contract to the end of the 2018 season. The London Broncos finished 2nd in both 2016 and 2017, thus he played in the Qualifiers Super 8's for a place in Super League. Ackers last game for London was an away game against Widnes Vikings in the Qualifiers on 16 September 2017. Shortly after, he left the club after the Broncos accepted his request to be released for family reasons. Ackers signed for Canadian -based club Toronto Wolfpack
1000-475: The 2023 Super League season, Ackers played 20 matches for Salford as the club finished 7th on the table and missed the playoffs. On 18 October 2023, Ackers signed a three-year deal to join Leeds ahead of the 2024 Super League season. In round 1 of the 2024 Super League season, Ackers made his club debut for Leeds against his former team Salford. Leeds would win the match 22-16. Ackers played 24 games for Leeds in
1050-530: The 2024 Super League which saw the club finish 8th on the table. Following an outstanding season with Salford , Ackers was announced as part of Shaun Wane's England World Cup squad on 30 September 2022. In the third group stage match at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup , Ackers scored two tries for England in a 94–4 victory over minnows Greece. Widnes Vikings The Widnes Vikings are an English rugby league club in Widnes , Cheshire , which competes in
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#17327916204461100-612: The Championship, and the Toronto Wolfpack in the Championship and the Super League . Ackers was born in Golborne , Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. He started playing rugby league at the age of 12 for Golborne Parkside before signing for Hindley. Ackers was recruited into the Wigan Warriors Academy at the age of 18. He played for the under-18s during the 2012 season but was released without making
1150-554: The First World War. Thirteen Widnes players were killed during the conflict. The club's first ever success came when they won the Lancashire League trophy in the 1919–20 season. However, the 1920s saw the club almost go to the wall. Local rivals Warrington donated their share of the traditional Easter and Christmas derby matches to keep Widnes afloat in 1927–28. In 1930, Widnes with 12 local-born players defied
1200-582: The Stobart Group. Steve McCormack was re-appointed as Head Coach, and the club were re-admitted into National League 1. A nine-point deduction for going into administration was successfully neutralised through winning their first three games, and Widnes qualified for the National League One Playoffs by finishing in sixth place. A 32–16 defeat by third-placed Halifax however brought the nostalgic 2008 campaign to an end. Off
1250-507: The books, over 25 first team players were sold to other teams. This resulted in the club sinking to 12th in the division one table, avoiding relegation. Tony Myler became coach of Widnes in May 1994. In August 1995 the club decided to bring back Doug Laughton for a third stint as team manager which resulted in Myler's sacking as coach. In 1996, the first tier of British rugby league clubs played
1300-651: The club had originally intended to adopt the moniker 'Warriors' but were asked to reconsider by the RFL, as Whitehaven were planning to adopt this name also. Further player and coaching departures ensued and the club struggled in the new first division, the club's first ever finish in the relegation zone followed. They spent the next five years in the Northern Ford Premiership . Graeme West took over as coach after Doug Laughton 's third stint, his reign lasted from May 1997 until August 1998. During this time,
1350-584: The club in January 1986 and began a series of signings of players from other league clubs and from rugby union. One such player was Martin Offiah , who in 1987–88 scored a club record 42 tries. The team went on to win the championship that season, clinching it with a 50-point win away over Hunslet . Widnes then beat St. Helens 38–14 in the Premiership Final at Old Trafford , Manchester a game in which Alan Tait made his début. The 1988–89 season saw
1400-554: The club sign rugby union star Jonathan Davies from Llanelli for £225,000. Widnes and Wigan battled each other for the silverware. Widnes beat Wigan in the Charity Shield but lost to them in the Regal Trophy Final. The Championship came down to the last game of the season, a capacity crowd (officially 16,000) at Naughton Park saw Widnes beat Wigan 32–18 to win the title for the second year running. The Premiership
1450-417: The club to its first ever Lancashire Cup win, with a 7–3 victory against Wigan in 1945. Back at Wembley in 1950, the team was beaten 19–0 by Warrington . During this period, the club reverted to selling its players to richer teams. Local man Vince Karalius joined Widnes from St. Helens in 1962 and was appointed club captain. In his first season, Widnes finished third in the Championship, which equalled
1500-495: The club to victory in the seasons Northern Rail Cup Final, beating a strong Barrow Raiders side 34–18. In the following season, Widnes again reached the Northern Rail Cup Final but were beaten 25–24 by Batley Bulldogs . The club also reached the 2010 Co-operative Championship playoffs but were knocked out in the opening round by Barrow Raiders . In 2011 Widnes were granted a Super League licence for
1550-412: The club was Widnes' first ever trip to the Challenge Cup final, staged at Wembley. Their opponents were St. Helens , Saints scored after six minutes to take a 3–0 lead, but Widnes hit back with a penalty try, a further try and a penalty to take a 10–3 half-time lead. A scoreless second half meant Widnes had won the cup. Widnes became the first club to make two trips to Wembley, with a loss to Hunslet in
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1600-764: The club's best league placing. In 1962, the league was split into East and West of the Pennines; Widnes and Workington Town met at Central Park , Wigan , in the first final of the Western Division Championship on Saturday 10 November 1962. With two minutes remaining, Lowdon dropped a goal to earn Workington a 9–9 draw. Later in the month Workington Town won the replay 10–0. The following season saw him lead his team to Wembley, where Widnes were Rugby League Challenge Cup winners after they defeated Hull Kingston Rovers 13–5. No team had ever played more games in reaching Wembley than Widnes in 1964. In
1650-528: The early years, the club often had to sell players to balance the books. The strength of junior rugby league in the area meant the club had a steady stream of new players to offset any losses. In 1902, the Lancashire and Yorkshire leagues were combined to form a second division, Widnes was added to the first division. In 1914, Arthur 'Chick' Johnson was capped for the Lions (captained by Harold Wagstaff) in
1700-427: The famous Rorke's Drift test , a match in which they overcame all the odds, and injuries to beat Australia with a depleted side of 10 against 13. He scored an extraordinary try to win the game, dribbling the ball from inside his own half. Widnes closed for the 1915–16 season but recommenced playing in 1916 following the introduction of conscription which meant that would not be accused of keeping men from volunteering for
1750-448: The field, Widnes had applied for a Super League licence for the 2009 season along with 18 other clubs. However, the club was not granted a licence to play in the Super League , with the recent financial history of the club coming under close scrutiny. In 2009 Widnes parted company with Steve McCormack and for a period John Stankevitch became caretaker manager. Paul Cullen was unveiled as McCormack's eventual successor and managed
1800-423: The first round, two replays were necessary before beating Leigh . Liverpool City were beaten in the second round, then Widnes played Swinton in front of 19,000 at Naughton Park. A 5–5 draw meant another replay, which was a scoreless draw at Station Road . A second replay at Wigan was watched by 21,369 with Widnes winning 15–3. The semi-final against Castleford was drawn 7–7. A crowd of 28,732 spectators watched
1850-438: The inaugural Super League season and changed from a winter to a summer season. When the RFL announced that a new 12-team Super League was to be formed a chaotic period ensued in which the club was out, then in, then out, then in merged with local rivals Warrington and then finally out again as they finished below the cut-off point of 10th in the existing top flight. The club adopted the name Widnes Vikings on 27 November 1996;
1900-533: The inclusion of Catalans Dragons in Superleague from 2006 onwards, Widnes were relegated back down to the second tier of the English game (LHF National League 1). Widnes parted company with coach Frank Endacott, and new coach Steve McCormack rebuilt the squad, which notably included Australian full back David Peachey , who kept his word to join the club, despite its relegation. Stephen Vaughan completed
1950-544: The job of team coach when Frank Myler retired from the position in 1978. The 1978–79 season saw no less than four cups come to Widnes—the BBC2 floodlit trophy, Lancashire Cup, Premiership and a win at Wembley over Wakefield Trinity in front of a crowd of 93,218. Widnes also defeated the Ashes -winning 1978 Kangaroo tourists . The 1979–80 season saw Widnes beat Bradford Northern in the Premiership final, but come second to them in
2000-653: The late 1870s the club was being referred to as "The Chemicals"—subsequently shortened to 'The Chemics'. The first ground was on Albert Road behind what is now the Premier Wetherspoon's pub and a short spell followed in the Simms Cross area. From around 1878–84 the club were based at the junction of Millfield/Peelhouse Lane, apart from season 1880–81 when they played on the Widnes Cricket Club ground at Lowerhouse Lane. From 1884–95 they rented
2050-419: The league and John Player Trophy. The Lancashire Cup was won for the fifth time in the 1970s. The 1980s started with a Wembley win over Hull Kingston Rovers in 1980–81. The season after this, Widnes again returned to Wembley, to face Hull F.C. Widnes led 14–6 with less than 20 minutes to go, but the game finished 14–14 and Hull won the replay 18–9 at Elland Road , Leeds . Widnes kept their record of winning
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2100-526: The members decided to embrace the burgeoning football code. At their fourth annual evening party in the Drill Hall, Widnes, in November 1875, club Chairman Henry Lea "gave a short account of the club since it commenced about four years ago, and indicated that they had now started a football club in connexion (sic) with it, and hoped all would join". The first known game for the new Farnworth and Appleton FC
2150-649: The newly rebuilt stadium was set at 6,644 for a Northern Ford Premiership game against Leigh on Boxing Day 2000. Widnes finished off a poor season in 8th place in the NFP. Under new coach Neil Kelly , Widnes won promotion to Super League in 2001 after beating Oldham 24–12 in the Northern Ford Premiership Grand Final. Their début season in the Super League was in 2002, and the Vikings surprised everyone by narrowly missing out on
2200-564: The odds to beat St. Helens 10–3 to bring home the Challenge Cup . The Kingsway housing scheme threatened the loss of Widnes' ground. After several years of fundraising during the Great Depression of the 1930s, £3,250 was raised to save the ground. This came with a stipulation that the ground could be sold only to the local council at the original price. The newly named Naughton Park was opened in 1932. A major boost for
2250-643: The playing arena was rebuilt and the old stands, terraces and facilities were demolished to be replaced with a state-of-the-art all-seater stadium and was also renamed from Naughton Park to the Halton Community Stadium. West was later replaced as coach by Colin Whitfield . In 1999 Widnes narrowly missed out on a place in the Northern Ford Premiership Grand Final. The 2000 season was one of transition with head coach Colin Whitfield being sacked and replaced by David Hulme . A record attendance for
2300-455: The replay, which Widnes won. A Wembley crowd of 84,488 saw Widnes win the Challenge Cup for the third time with a 13–5 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers . This was the Chemics first trophy success in eighteen years. The 1970s saw the first really outstanding Widnes team. A host of young local players developed into the "Cup Kings", a golden age for the club. The first cup-final was a loss in
2350-467: The season unbeaten at home in the league. There were also trips to the John Player and Premiership finals. Keith Elwell began his run of 242 consecutive appearances at Wembley in the 1976–77 Challenge Cup Final, including two as a substitute. He finished his run at Hull F.C. on 26 September 1982. This record for consecutive appearances for one club stands to this day. Doug Laughton took over
2400-429: Was in Widnes in January 1876 played under rugby rules against Northwich Victoria. A few weeks later a return match was played at Drill Field, Northwich under soccer rules. Vics won both games. These are the only two known fixtures in that truncated first season. By May 1876 the club had changed its name to Widnes FC and the cricket side of the organisation had disbanded, presumably to concentrate on football activities. By
2450-544: Was the first time in their history that Widnes had won two trophies in the same season. At his zenith, Karalius, stepped down once from his role as coach. He was replaced in May 1975 by Frank Myler . Widnes visited Wembley in the following two seasons, losing to St. Helens and then Leeds . However, this was made up for by victories in the Lancashire Cup and John Player Trophy . The season after this (1977–78) saw their first league championship. The team went through
2500-439: Was won again, with over 40,000 at Old Trafford to see Widnes beat Hull 18–10. Martin Offiah scored another 58 tries for Widnes, bringing up 100 tries for Widnes in just 76 games. The 1989–90 season saw Widnes play at Anfield , Liverpool beating Wigan 27–22. Widnes beat St Esteve 60-6 to become European Club Champions to set up the first official World Club Challenge match against Australia's Grand Final winners. Canberra took
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