On 16 February 2009 Widnes declared that they had parted company with coach Steve McCormack, through 'mutual consent'.
[2] The news came 3 days after Widnes were controversially beaten 22-20 at home to Co-Operative Championship 1 side Oldham in the Northern Rail Cup Stage.
Vikings' chairman Steve O'Connor was quick to announce that the decision wasn't made on the back of the Oldham defeat alone.
[4] Paul Cullen was appointed as Head Coach on 8 March 2009,[5] Cullen first aided John Stankevitch in his final game as caretaker coach, beating French side Toulouse Olympique 70-0[6] in the first game of the 2009 Co-operative Championship.
Cullen had a successful first season with the Vikings, finishing in 4th position in the 2009 Co-operative Championship and winning the 2009 Northern Rail Cup.