Cullen eyeing Super League place

Cullen wants Widnes to return to the glory days of the 1970s and 80s

Widnes Vikings coach Paul Cullen says his brief is to take the club into Super League.

The former England and Warrington coach signed a two-year deal to take charge at the Stobart Stadium on Monday.

"The message is simple from those above - this club needs to be back in Super League," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"There's a long way to go and there's a process you need to go through to get there and that starts this week, with the game against Toulouse."

Cullen is aware "those above", who include club owner Steve O'Connor, are eager to win silverware as they attempt to strengthen their claim for a Super League license.

"That's the demand and expectation," said Cullen.

"I'm delighted by it, I've just actually walked through the trophy room here and almost broke out in a rash.

"They're the demands and someone, somewhere has done some good work behind the scenes because this club is working in one direction."

In addition to taking the club back into the sport's top division, Cullen is eyeing a return to the glory-days of the 1970s and 1980s, when Widnes were a by-word for success.

"As a fan of this game during the 1970s and the heights that Widnes reached during that period and the quality of football that they played and as a player during the 1980s and 1990s, hopefully down the line we can bring some of that back," said Cullen.