Widnes, Halifax and Barrow have all met the deadline to submit bids for a three-year Super League licence.

The trio are competing for a place in Super League starting from 2012.

The RFL have made it clear that at least one Championship club will be awarded a Super League licence, provided they meet certain criteria.

The criteria for approval for a Super League Licence include a stadium capacity of at least 10,000 and a turnover of at least £1m.

Featherstone Rovers and Batley, who had also been in contention, elected not to submit an application.

Widnes beat the snow to meet Friday's deadline by driving over the Pennines to submit their bid to the Rugby Football League in an Eddie Stobart truck.

But the Vikings were actually upstaged by Halifax, who hired a helicopter to reach the RFL's Red Hall headquarters on the outskirts of Leeds.

It would mean everything for the people of Widnes. We're as confident as we can be Chris Shirling-Rook, Widnes Vikings

"We've worked long and hard over three years since the last application," said Halifax director Ian Croad. "Obviously Widnes are the favourites but it's a two-horse race as I see it.

"Three years ago we weren't ready but we've made massive strides both on the field and off."

"It would mean everything for the people of Widnes," said Chris Shirling-Rook, head of his club's commercial department. "Rugby league in Widnes is the heart and soul of the community.

"We're as confident as we can be. We've put an awful lot of preparation in and, as far as we're concerned, especially on the administrative side, we've ticked all the boxes, including investment in an academy."

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