GOOLE VIKINGS are benefitting from the feelgood factor as they prepare for Sunday’s home warm-up meeting with Rochdale.
It’s the club’s second season, and they are now in the Championship after the merging of the lower tiers.
With 13 new signings on board, Goole held an open training session at the Victoria Pleasure Ground on Sunday to give fans the chance to meet the team as the season-opener at Keighley on Sunday week, January 18, nears.
Captain Brett Ferres told the club website: “I’ve been involved in a lot of teams and a lot of seasons over the years, but this one genuinely stands out.
“What’s been built here in such a short space of time, with limited resources and from a standing start, is incredible. I’m not sure many could have achieved what this group of people have – to the standard that it has been.
“The support has been unreal. Home or away, the fans have been right behind us, and you can feel the buzz around the town.
“None of us really knew what to expect, it was a step into the unknown really, but the support from the town and fans of other clubs has been great.
“I get stopped in the street now to talk about Goole as much, if not more so, than when I played for some other clubs. People are genuinely interested in what we’re building.
“That support matters to players more than people realise, and it’s played a huge part in what we’ve achieved this year. We are grateful for the backing and we feel like we’re part of something.”
Goole’s new signings include halfback Jack Miller, former Hull FC forward Nick Staveley and Jamaica international Keenen Tomlinson, who provided a motivating quote to fans.
“We want to be winning games. I hate losing. I didn’t come here to lose games. I believe we can have a very good season,” said the second-row signed from Dewsbury.
Skipper Josh Guzdek, who has recently had routine surgery on a troublesome knee injury that impacted his 2025 season, added to the messaging.
The versatile back said: “This is a really tight squad. There’s a genuine togetherness and determination about us. Everyone’s bought into what we’re building, and there’s a real hunger to carry on what we have started.
“The new arrivals coming in have really added to that buzz. There’s a lot of quality and competition for places, and we honestly can’t wait to get going again.
“We want to take the town with us on this journey, that connection with the fans means everything to the club.”