BARROW Raiders' home game with Widnes Vikings in the Betfred Championship on Sunday, March 10 is set to go ahead as planned after a takeover of the Cheshireclub involving a consortium was agreed, subject to approval from the RFL.

The Vikings, who were in serious danger of liquidation, expected the change of ownership to be granted on yesterday and, as it stands, tomorrow's home game against Featherstone Rovers will go ahead.

Last Sunday's match with Sheffield Eagles was postponed after the club went into administration following the collapse of a proposed takeover.

A new holding company, Widnes Rugby League Club Limited, has already been registered with Companies House and the club say members of the local consortium are Chris Price, Jason Shaw, Roger Harrison MBE, Stuart Murphy, David Dean, Tracey Glendinning and Rod Steele.

Shaw will represent Vikings Quids In (VIQI), who have raised more than £100,000 and collected more than 112,000 new members inside a week.

A statement said: "The club would like to thank Halton Borough Council, including David Parr and MP for Halton Derek Twigg for their co-operation and support over the previous days.

"Lastly, Widnes Vikings would like to go on record and thank supporters, the town of Widnes, club sponsors and the rugby league community for their incredible support in the last week.

"Without that backing, this solution would not have been possible."

Administrator Peter O'Hara confirmed to Press Association Sport that a deal had been struck.

"We have concluded an agreement which will be ratified tomorrow when the legal work is completed," O'Hara said.

The governing body will need to carry out a fit and proper person's test on the new owners and also decide on any sanctions.

It seems certain that the club will be handed a 12-point deduction under the RFL's insolvency rules, which apply once a club is taken over and the membership of the league awarded to the new owners.

The Vikings, founder members of the Northern Union who were relegated from Super League at the end of the 2018 season, have won two of their opening three matches so will effectively be on minus eight.