O'Conner's Widnes are currently third in the Championship

Widnes chairman Steve O'Connor says the Vikings are determined to win a Super League franchise licence for 2012.

The Vikings missed out on a licence a year ago, but have already filled one of the criteria for a franchise by winning the Northern Rail Cup.

"We have also looked forward from the disappointment of last year," O'Connor told the BBC's Super League Show.

"We now understand what we need to do to get a licence. We are determined to have all the boxes ticked next time."

Widnes controversially lost out to Welsh region Celtic Crusaders for the first ever three-year licence system, but O'Connor has admitted there were a few weaknesses in their original application.

We are focusing on making sure we are in a good state when the application process comes round Steve O'Connor

He added: "We recognise there were financial shortfalls in the previous administration, so we needed to satisfy the financial security of the club.

"We also recognised that our policies around youth development needed to be improve and we needed to be bringing more young players through our system.

"It was disappointing a year ago, but we don't have it marked down on the calendar as 'Black Tuesday'.

"We have learnt from it and have aimed to make this a model rugby league club that the game wants to see in its top division.

"We think this time around we will have a more robust application. We are focusing on making sure we are in a good state when the application process comes round."

Rugby league fans can watch the Super League Show again either via the Red Button or BBC iPlayer.

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