Kev Towey has outlined his plans to continue playing for Widnes in the Evo-Stik West next season, but co-boss Steve Akrigg has confirmed his intention to retire from playing.

The Whites recorded a 12th-placed finish after promotion for the Hallmark Security League Premier Division last year, and the club are looking to build on their maiden season at Step 4.

Both Towey and co-manager Akrigg have appeared for Widnes since 2016 before taking over the reins from Joey Dunn a year later as joint-managers.

Speaking to the Liverpool ECHO, Towey confirmed that he will prolong his playing career but announced that Akrigg will now hang up his boots.

"Steve has definitely already said he's done," Towey said.

"I want to get myself into a shape where I can be effective in a bit-part way when needed.

"I missed quite a bit of pre-season and then had a stop-start season all year where the club took precedent and Steve and I took a little back-step because we can't be the answer forever.

"We wanted to make sure young lads got blooded and learned themselves."

Akrigg has made 54 appearances for Widnes since joining the club from Skelmersdale United in November 2016, scoring three goals, and will now focus solely on his managerial commitments for the Club moving forward.

The 32-year-old veteran defender calls time on his playing career having played in the National League for Southport and AFC Telford United.

Akrigg won the Liverpool Senior Cup with the Sandgrounders in 2011, and has since enjoyed playing and managerial success with Widnes, lifting the North West Counties First Division as a player in 2017, before going on to win the Macron Cup and promotion to the Evo-Stik League the following year.