Widnes took defeat on the chin when they lost out to Celtic Crusaders and Salford in the bid for a place Super League.

The Vikings were among the five losers when the Rugby Football League announced the 14 three-year licences from 2009.

All 12 existing engage Super League clubs kept their places, with Toulouse, who are expected to be offered a place in the National League, missing out, along with Featherstone, Leigh and Halifax.

Widnes missed out when original plans for Super League were drawn up in 1995 and lost their place 10 years later when the league relegated an extra team to make way for the introduction of Catalans Dragons.

New owner Steve O'Connor, who took the club out of administration in November, insisted the club would bounce back and re-apply for a place in Super League when the licence system in reviewed in 2011.

"We must build on the solid foundations we have laid down over the past eight months and prepare an absolutely irresistible licence application for the future," he said.

"I feel it is vital for the game as a whole that the Super League flourishes under this new licence system and I'm still convinced that Widnes Vikings have all the credentials to become a powerful force in Super League."

The big winners today were Salford, whose application was based on plans to move into a £35million state-of-the-art stadium in 2010, and the Bridgend-based Crusaders, who were formed just three years ago but were crowned National League Two champions last season.

If there was joy in Manchester and south Wales, the reaction in Castleford and Wakefield was one of relief after both established clubs struggled to meet the minimum standards laid down for facilities and stadia.

Castleford, who were promoted back to Super League last year, hope to move into a new stadium in 2010.

Tigers chief executive Richard Wright said: "This is fabulous news for the club and the fans and just what we have been waiting to hear.

"The fans are the true strength of the Tigers and their support over the last few years is undoubtedly the primary reason we have been successful.

"The last few years have been tough ones for everyone but there are much brighter times ahead for the Tigers and we can now move ahead with confidence to bring our very ambitious plans to fruition.

"Our vision is very clear - a top-class team performing in a state of the art stadium - and today we have taken a huge step forward.

"The new stadium is moving ahead and this news can only add to the momentum of the project. Plans to strengthen the squad for 2009 are well advanced, and we expect to be able to make some announcements very soon on that front."

In a statement, Wakefield, who are no nearer to moving to a new stadium, said: "We are obviously delighted to have been awarded a place in the Super League for the next three years.

"It's testament to the hard work, effort and dedication contributed by everyone both on and off the field and we look forward to strengthening further over the next three years in the elite competition."

More news from SportingLife.com