Warrington cup tie 'great reward', says Goole chief

Goole Vikings chief executive James Clark says this weekend's Challenge Cup tie at Super League side Warrington Wolves is a "great reward" for the recently-revamped club.

The East Riding outfit head to nine-time winners Warrington in round four on Saturday (14:00 GMT) in a game switched to Wolves' 15,000-seater Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Goole were set up in 2018 and Clark, a former CEO at Hull FC, joined them two years ago when they successfully applied to join the pro ranks in first League 1 last year and now the expanded Championship in 2026.

He told BBC Radio Merseyside their 18-14 victory over Halifax in the previous round summed up the club's rise.

"It was the first time I'd really seen it come together," Clark said. "I really saw and felt that vibe, seeing the lads really fight for each other.

"We set out a year earlier to build a team from scratch - we had six weeks to do it, and we wanted a team that had a strong culture, wasn't about the money, was about being in it together and giving these young lads a chance."

Goole's head coach is former Hull KR, Wigan, Hull FC and England player Scott Taylor.

Clark says Taylor has done a remarkable job with the Goole squad, which includes former Wire player Andre Savelio.

"For me, the draw was almost a bit of a reward for Scott and the boys, and seeing how far we've come," he added.

"It's also great for everyone else at the club. You can imagine at this level when you're brand new and haven't got a lot of money, you're relying on volunteers. We have a small junior section in the club as well.

"It's great to play a team like Warrington Wolves, led by Sam Burgess, one of the superstars of the game.

"We're coming up against the nine-time winners, so it's a great opportunity for the club and the players, and hopefully something the town can get behind and help us grow the sport in this area."

Saturday's tie reunites two ex-England team-mates as respective head coaches - Goole's Taylor up against his former national team captain, Warrington boss Sam Burgess.

"I'm good pals with Scott," said Burgess. "I went on tour with him a couple of times, and he's one of my favourite England team-mates ever.

"I'm sure he'll have his team ready to play. He's doing a great job at Goole."

Burgess suggested he will rotate his squad for the cup tie but added: "We want to win.

"I've made a lot of changes, there are going to be a lot of new combinations, so I'm going to be very patient, and I think everyone else needs to be too.

"It's a good opportunity to get some guys some game-time in a competitive match, but it's going to be a fair challenge, so we're looking forward to it."

The tie has been moved to Warrington due to redevelopment work at Goole, which Clark says makes sense in their current situation.

"It would have been romantic to bring it to the town, but the situation is we're in the middle of being away from home for a 10-week period while the final phase of a £7m redevelopment of the ground is under way," he explained.

"While it is frustrating, there is a pot of gold, if you like, at the end of the rainbow and we've got to keep focused on that.

"On top of that, from the perspective of the fans, while it's a long journey, Warrington are a great club, and it's a fantastic stadium.

"For some of the older players, it could be a last time they get to play an occasion like this, and for our younger pups it's obviously a brilliant opportunity to come up against some of the best players in the world like George Williams - superstar and England captain."

You can hear full live radio commentary from BBC Radio Merseyside of Goole Vikings v Warrington Wolves on BBC Sounds.