Workington AFC - The Reds

News Archive

Reserves v Burscough preview (Wed 12 Aug)

Workington Reserves new look side will hope to make a winning start to their 2008/09 season as they travel to Burscought tonight 8pm.

Reds beat Burscough twice last season but manager Herbert Briggs knows it's a diffrent ball game as he goes in to tomorrow's game with only one player on duty from last seasons squad, Steven Rudd, who will again captain the side from his central midfield role.

Steven is a class player who has captained the side for three year and following the loss of Dan Gullen and Phil McCluckie for the trip, Briggs will travel with only fourteen players. Phil McLuckie played ninety minutes last night for the first team against Harrogate Town and Dan Gullen is working late and unavailable as also is Dan McDermott.

Martin Coleman and Ryan Birkbeck, two 6ft plus guys, will also travel with the Reserves as Briggs will hand thirteen players their Lancashire League debuts.

Reserves Squad:

Mathew Charters
Callum Lee
Brian Rutherford
Grant Bell
Ryan Moody
Ryan Birkbeck
Mick Sewell
Greg Mitchell
Garath Brunton
Adam Maine
Steven Rudd
Nicholas Holden
Martin Coleman
Steffan Scott

Reserves pre-season fixture postoned (Fri 08 Aug)

Thursday evening's Reserve team fixture against Parton United had to be postponed due to bad weather. This would have been the second and final friendly for the Reserves before their league season starts next Wednesday evening. Their first fixture in the Lancit Haulage Lancashire League is away to Burscough. Reds Reserves only previous friendly against Wigton Harriers was won convincingly 8 - 0.

Cartilage operation required for Kevin Gray (Wed 06 Aug)

Veteran defender Kevin Gray who signed in the summer requires a cartilage operation on the knee he injured against Whitehaven Amateurs three weeks ago.

It is hoped that the PFA will fund the operation and Gray then will only miss 6 to 12 weeks.

Reserves Parton United friendly switched (Wed 06 Aug)

The Reds Reserves have switched the tie on Thursday 7th August against Parton United, kick off 6:30pm. The match is now to played away at Parton.

Reserves friendlies announced (Tue 29 Jul)

The Reds Reserves have arranged two friendlies prior to their Lancashire League opening fixture, away at Burscough on Wednesday 13^thAugust.

The friendlies are away against Wigton on Saturday 2nd August, kick off 2:00pm and at home on Thursday 7th August against Parton United, kick off 6:30pm.

Reserve Team fixtures announced (Tue 22 July)

The new season fixtures for the Lancit Haulage Lancashire League have been released. The season opens for Reserve team with an away fixture at Burscough on Wednesday 13th August. The first home game is on Friday 22nd August against last season's second place team, Fleetwood Town, 8pm kick off.

For details of the all the Reserve team fixtures see Reserves Fixture/Results.

Shirt sponsorship draw winner (Mon 21 Jul)

The winner of the Workington Reds Shirt Sponsorship draw for the 2008/09 season is Corus Process Engineering, Derwent Howe, Workington.

Runners-up in the draw include the GMB Union and Premier Storage Systems, Derwent Howe, Workington.

Former Reds director Gerard Redmond dies (Mon 21 Jul)

Former Reds' director GERARD REDMOND passed away on Friday 18^th July, aged 78.

He was on the board for four full seasons between 1978 and 1982 before tendering his resignation on 30th September, 1982.

The funeral is to be held on Thursday 24^thJuly at 12 noon, St.Begh's, Whitehaven.

Stranraer win Annan tournament (Sun 20 July)

Stranraer emerged as the Annan tournament winners after a comfortable

3 - 0 win over hosts Annan Athletic with goals form Martin McBride, Andrew Gibson (pen) and Craig Frizzell.

Workington finished 3rd after a similar 3 - 0 win over Spartans FC in the 3^rd/4^th place play-off game with goals from Graham Anthony, Lee Andrews and Dan Robinson. Reds were disappointed to lose the Saturday game on penalties to hosts Annan Athletic and not make the final.

Marksmen Dan Robinson, Graham Anthony and Lee Andrews.

Annan Athletic President Simon Aitken presents Graham Anthony with a commemorative memento.

A few new friends have been made at Annan over the weekend and Edinburgh side Spartans FC have offered to play us home and away next season in pre-season friendlies.

Friendly against Barrow back on (Sun 20 July)

Workington are to play Barrow in a pre-season friendly on Thursday 24^th July, 7:45pm kick off. The game that was previously to be held on Saturday 2^nd August was cancelled due to Barrow arranging a game against Accrington Stanley.

Reds claim the honours in historic first match (Sat 12 Jul)

Workington Reds opened the pre-season against the newly formed Gretna FC today. The Gretna squad had a familiar look to it with it featuring eleven former Reds Reserves players.

The Reds came out 5-0 winners with goals from Andrew Hardman, Jonny Wright, Dan Gullen and two from Craig Johnston. Full match report available here.

FA Youth Cup draw (Wed 09 Jul)

The Reds have been drawn at home to Ashton Town in the 1^st Qualifying Round of the FA Youth Cup which, this year, has attracted 476 entries.

The tie is to be played during week commencing 22^nd September.

Workington Reds programmes (Tue 08 July)

Tom Allen's excellent internet site, Workington Reds Programmes has had a major update. Tom received a tremendous amount of help from an ex student of Tom's called Michael Trussell from Grimsby. The web site formed a major project for Michael's degree course. Tom is pleased to report that Michael has just been awarded a BA First class honours degree.

Michael was mentored by John Walsh and received assistance from a number of ex Reds players from their League days including Mike Commons and Peter Harburn.

The site contains a wealth of information on past Reds players and managers within a searchable encyclopedia from the club's league days, the Workipedia!

What Workington Reds Programmes website is all about is offering you the opportunity to bid on classic Workington Programmes. Any monies raised from auctions will be donated to Workington AFC.

Visit www.workingtonreds-programmes.co.uk

Setanta Shield Draw (Sat 05 Jul)

The draw to the Setanata Shield has taken place and the fixtures in the Northern Sections are as follows:

	Setanta Shield Draw - Northern Section
1	Hyde United	v	Vauxhall Motors
2	Droylsden	v	Gatehead
3	Stalybridge Celtic	v	Southport
4	Harrogate Town	v	Fleetwood Town
5	Farsley Celtic	v	Workington
6	Burscough	v	Blyth Spartans
7	Hucknall Town	v	Hinckley United
8	AFC Telford United	v	Gainsborough Trinity
9	Redditch United	v	Solihull Moors
10	Alfreton Town	v	Stafford Rangers
11	Kings Lynn	v	Tamworth

The matches are to be played week commencing Monday 8^th September.

Annan Athletic replace Gretna in SFL (Thu 03 Jul)

Annan Athletic have been admitted to the Scottish Football League after winning a vote to replace Gretna.

At a meeting at Hampden today the 29 SFL clubs voted for Annan Athletic being invited to compete in the Scottish Third Division.

The other clubs that had applied include Spartans, Edinburgh City, Preston Athletic and Cove Rangers.

Three rounds of voting were needed before Annan's place in the SFL was secured. With a minimum of 15 voted required, they polled 17 votes in the final round, with Cove Rangers their closest challengers with 12 votes.

One-time favourites Spartans dropped out of the running after the second round after amassing just six votes.

Annan chairman Henry McLelland said: "It's just sunk in but it's been a long time coming.
"We've not been working towards this for only a few months - we've been working for this since we played Stranraer in 1979.
"We have been rewarded for all our work since then."

Workington AFC will be playing Annan Athletic on the 19^th July at the Annan Athletic four-team tournament.

FA competitions announced (Tue 01 Jul)

The early round fixtures of the four FA competitions have been announced today.

The FA Cup starts at the Extra preliminary Round on Saturday 16^th August with 762 teams entered this year. The Reds enter at the Second Round Qualifying stage on Saturday 27^th September.

The FA Trophy has 263 entries this year with the competition starting at the Preliminary Round on Saturday 4^th October. The Reds enter at the Third Round Qualifying stage on Saturday 22^nd November.

Ex-Blue Gray signs for Reds (Fri 27 Jun)

Reds have signed the vastly experienced 36 year old defender Kevin Gray.

The Sheffield born former Carlisle captain, who was with Chesterfield last season, lives in Carlisle and has plenty of league football experience also at Tranmere Rovers, Stockport County, Huddersfield Town and Mansfield Town.

A committed defender with a no-nonsense approach, who will always be in the thick of the action is commencing training with the Reds' squad on Saturday.

	Joined	Left	Apps	Goals	Yellow	Red
Chesterfield	01.07.2007	30.06.2008	11 (5)	0	1	1
Carlisle United	25.11.2003	30.06.2007	106 (4)	10	12	2
Tranmere Rovers	01.07.2002	25.11.2003	15 (3)	1	6	0
Stockport County	04.08.2000	03.09.2000	1	0	0	0	Loan
Huddersfield Town	18.07.1994	30.06.2002	78 (4)	1	11	0

Journalist Gordon Brown dies (Fri 27 Jun)

The well known journalist Gordon Brown died late Wednesday evening at the age of 71 after losing his fight against cancer. Gordon, originally from Lancashire, worked in West Cumbria for 40 years, thirty years for the Whitehaven News and ten years as an independent reporter.

Gordon's first professional job was with the Warrington Guardian, though his career started at school writing match reports of his school team's games posted on the school notice board. These reports regularly featured lifelong friend Roger Hunt, one of England's 1966 World Cup winning heroes. Gordon claimed to have launched Roger's career through his school match reports!

Gordon was also a keen walker and cyclist. He had regular newspaper columns on these matters and also had a book published in 1994 titled '100 Lake District Walks'. He was also a very good table tennis player, up to league standard.

At the age of 70, Gordon cycled from his home in Whitehaven to the Farsley Celtic ground in Pudsey, Leeds - a distance of 125 miles to raise funds for Workington Reds.

(Gordon is pictured on the left at Farsley Celtic with the crystal bowl presented to him at half time by Reds fans for his achievement).

Gordon reported on football - Workington Reds reports for the Sunday Sun, rugby league - Whitehaven reports for the Rugby League Express and Workington Town reports for the Rugby League Weekly.

Gordon was a life long member of the National Union of Journalists and a keen church goer.

Gordon will be well remembered for turning up, for example, at Gainsborough Trinity mid week on his bike, having cycled there from the previous weekend's Reds game.

Gordon had, lifelong, an ability to laugh at himself and will be sadly missed by everyone that knew him.

Pre-season underway (Thu 26 Jun)

There was a twenty-strong turn out at Carlisle on Thursday as Reds' preparations for the new season got underway.

Boss Darren Edmondson supervised the session which consisted of two three mile runs and a gruelling circuit session. The toys (footballs) had been left at home but hints suggested they might make an appearance at the next session on Saturday morning.

Newcomer Dan Robinson (pictured) was introduced to his new team mates and fitted in well with the collection of jokers and impersonators - yes the banter was good.

Graham Anthony, Viv Busby and Anthony Wright (all on holiday) were the notable absentees.

Lancit Haulage Lancashire League AGM (Wed 25 Jun)

Reds' Reserves secretary/manager, Herbert Briggs, was re-presented with the Lancashire League West Division championship trophy during Tuesday evening's Annual General Meeting at Leyland, although there was a faux pas by the League chairman who offered congratulations to WORKINGTON TOWN!

Reds will again compete in the twelve team West Division which saw two new arrivals (Chorley and Clitheroe) and the departure of Kendal Town who were effectively thrown out of the League because of poor administration.

The Reserves' opponents this season, which starts on 16^th August, will be Bamber Bridge, Barrow, Burscough, Chorley, Clitheroe, Darwen, Fleetwood Town, Formby, Lancaster City, Leigh RMI and Salford City.

The East Division lost one club (Emley) but gained four (Harrogate Railway, Pontefract Collieries, Thackley and Yorkshire Amateurs) and will operate with fourteen clubs - two more than the West section.

New Reserve team coach Adam Johnson (pictured) accompanied Mr Briggs to the meeting.

Adam has been out injured for the best part of a year - he last played for the Reserves in August last year - and is due to undergo surgery next month at a hospital in Oswestry. He is employed as a Sports Lecturer at the Newton Rigg college working alongside former Reds' defender John McNamee (junior) and ex. Carlisle United player Jeff Thorpe.

Annan tournament matches revised (Tue 24 Jun)

There has been a change of draw in the Annan Athletic tournament following Ebbsfleet United's withdrawal. The Blue Square Premier outfit have now cancelled their mini tour of Scotland, following changes at Board level, and are now heading for a similar break in the West Country.

Their replacement in the four team tournament will be East of Scotland outfit, Spartans (Edinburgh).

Reds will now play hosts, Annan Athletic, on the Saturday at noon with Stranraer playing Spartans at 3.15pm.

The two losers will play each other on the Sunday (noon) and the two winners will contest the Scottish Brewers Challenge Cup final at 3.15pm.

Berkeley joins the Bloods (Fri 20 Jun)

The club confirmed today that Manchester based forward Matthew Berkeley has joined Droylsden FC for the 2008/09 season. Matthew made a total of 40 appearance last season for the Reds in the league and cup scoring 11 goals, six in the league and 5 in the cup.

New Reserves' management team announced (Thu 19 Jun)

The Reds' board have appointed Herbert Briggs to the position of Reserve team manager, a position he previously held in the first season of the Reserves.

Supporting Herbert as coaches will be Adam Johnston and first team Assistant Manager Viv Busby. With Viv's involvement with the Reserves there is now a direct link to the senior side and the Reserves have been invited to train with the first team.

Pre-season training for the Reserves will commence next Thursday.

Fixture release date set (Thu 19 Jun)

The Football Conference has confirmed that the fixures for The Blue Square Premier, North & South will be released on Friday 4^th July 2008.

Ex-Gretna forward Dan Robinson signs (Sat 14 Jun)

Darren Edmondson has made his first signing of the close season with the acquisition of 19 year old Penrith born forward Dan Robinson.

Dan was in Gretna's first team squad and made it onto the bench for a number of last season's Scottish Premier League games without making an appearance.

Dan is regarded as a promising young player, with pace, who can play up front our out wide.

Rome leaves for re-formed Gretna team (Thu 12 Jun)

Stuart Rome, Reds' Reserve team manager, has resigned to become the manager at a reformed Gretna football team. Stuart leaves the Reds with the best wishes of Reds' chairman Humprey Dobie and Reserves' secretary Herbert Briggs.

The Gretna Supporters Society are to reform a football team in Gretna after support for the proposal was shown at a meeting held on Wednesday 11^th June. An Extraordinary General Meeting of the Gretna Supporters Society Trust board is to be held on the 2^nd July. http://www.gretnasupporterssociety.co.uk/

Last season the Reserves won the Lancashire League title and lost in the final of the Lancashire League Cup to Farsley Celtic.

Blue Square North line-up finally confirmed (Thu 12 Jun)

Following the conclusion of the Boston United and Halifax Town appeals to the Football Association the line-up of the teams competing in the Blue Square North for the 2008/09 season can be confirmed.

The league line-up is as follows:

AFC Telford United
Alfreton Town
Blyth Spartans
Burscough
Droylsden
Farsley Celtic
Fleetwood Town
Gainsborough Trinity
Gateshead
Harrogate Town
Hinckley United
Hucknall Town
Hyde United
Kings Lynn
Redditch United
Solihull Moors
Southport
Stafford Rangers
Stalybridge Celtic
Tamworth
Vauxhall Motors
Workington

Boston United FA appeal fails (Thu 12 Jun)

Boston United have lost their appeal at the Football Association and have been demoted from Blue Square North. The Pilgrims had to wait until today for the decision after the the FA deferred the decision on Wednesday evening. Their appeal start was delayed by over running of the Halifax Town appeal that had been heard previous to the Pilgrims.

Pilgrims' Vice-chairman Neil Kempster confirmed just after 3pm that the Pilgrims had lost their appeal and would be relegated to the third tier of non-league football for the 2008-2009 season.

It is not known yet if Boston will play in the UniBond Premier League or the BGB Southern Premier League.

Halifax Town, currently in administration, also lost their appeal to the FA and have been deemed ineligible for the Conference leagues. The Shaymen's result was announced on Wednesday after a 4 and a half hour hearing. The Shaymen will probably play in Unibond League Division One North next season.

Annan tournament matches confirmed (Tue 10 Jun)

The teams competing in the Annan Athletic four team tournament held over the weekend of 19^th/20^th July have been confirmed as Annan Athletic, (East of Scotland Premier League), Stranraer FC, (Scottish Second Division), Ebbsfleet United, (Blue Square Premier) and Workington AFC, (Blue Square North).

The two winning teams from the opening two matches on the Saturday meet in the final, while the two losing teams play off for the third and fourth place. The 3^rd/4^th place play off and the final are played on the Sunday.

Sat 19 July Stranraer FC v Workington AFC 12:00 noon

Sat 19 July Annan Athletic v Ebbsfleet Utd 3:15 pm

Sun 20 July 3^rd/4^th place play-off 12:00 noon

Sun 20 July Tournament Final 3:15 pm

It is forty years since we last played Stranraer in a friendly with Reds winning 3-2 (away) on 3^rd August, 1968.

Stranraer narrowly lost in the play-offs to Arbroath for promotion to the Scottish Second Division, but gained promotion following the demise of Gretna FC.

Conference AGM and Gala Dinner (Sun 08 Jun)

The Conference AGM and Gala Dinner was held at the Hilton Hotel, Blackpool over the week-end.

The constitution of the league was ratified at the meeting but is subject to appeal as both Boston United and Halifax Town have taken their case to the FA (Wednesday).

At the moment, Blue Square North (22 clubs) has no place for Boston United and Nuneaton Borough with their replacements Vauxhall Motors (reprieve from relegation) and Redditch United (reverting to Blue Square North) respectively.

The newcomers for next season, therefore, will be Droylsden, Farsley Celtic, Fleetwood Town, Gateshead, King's Lynn (opponents of Reds for three seasons during the early eighties) and Stafford Rangers.

Reds' nearest opponents next season will be Gateshead (93 miles) and Blyth Spartans (102) with the longest trips - King's Lynn (258) and Hinckley United (236).

Directors Colin Doorbar and Jos Taylor, along with secretary Steve Durham, represented the club at the meeting and were seated between officials from Worcester City (switching to Blue Square South this term) and Wrexham (recently relegated from the Football League).

Award winners in Blue Square North:

Manager of the Year - Mark Cooper (Kettering Town).

Player of the Year - Steve McNulty (Barrow).

Top Goalscorer Award - Gareth Seddon (Hyde United).

Programme of the Year - Boston United.

Fairplay Award - Nuneaton Borough.

Former Reds' player, Mathew Henney, was named in the Blue Square North 'All Star' team.

Another ex. Reds' player with strong Barrow connections, Neil McDonald, was part of the eighteen strong Holker Street contingent celebrating their promotion via the play-offs.

Amongst the many guests were former England internationals Jimmy Armfield and Paul Parker (classy right full backs from different eras).

Highlights of the Gala Dinner will be shown on Setanta next Friday evening with Rebecca Lowe conducting the interviews.

Burton Albion (BSN) and Stevenage Borough (BSS) hosted the play-off finals last season but, in 2008-09, each final will be staged at the ground of the highest placed club.

Reds table - Barbara Durham, Jo McCall, Jos Taylor & Colin Doorbar.

Boston United's FA hearing date set (Fri 06 May)

The Football Association hearing, scheduled to consider Boston United’s appeal on expulsion from Blue Square North, will be held on Wednesday 11^th June.

The Pilgrims face expulsion from Blue Square North for breaking administration rules. If the Pilgrims are thrown out of the league, it would be their third relegation in little over a year.

It is likely the club would be placed into the UniBond League Premier Division if their appeal fails. The venue and time of the hearing are still be arranged.

Annan Athletic tournament teams confirmed (Thu 05 May)

The teams competing in the Annan Athletic four team tournament held over the weekend of 19^th/20^th of July have been confirmed as Annan Athletic, (East of Scotland Premier League), Stranraer FC, (Scottish Second Division), Ebbsfleet United, (Blue Square Premier) and Workington AFC, (Blue Square North).

Ebbsfleet United, formerly known as Gravesend & Northfleet, are the current holders of the FA Trophy after their 1 - 0 win over Torquay United at Wembley on the 11^th May.

Gretna's demise confirmed (Tue 03 May)

Gretna FC have resigned from the Scottish Football League. The club, which went into administration in March, had been relegated to Division Three of the Scottish Football League but today the league confirmed it had received the club's resignation from the Scottish Football League.

"I have this morning received intimation from the Gretna FC administrator of their resignation from the Scottish Football League with immediate effect," a league spokeman said.

"I have accepted this resignation on behalf of the Scottish Football League and accordingly, we now have a vacancy in the Third Division and are seeking applications."

Prospective new SFL sides have been set a deadline of June 12^th to apply, with the management committee planning to visit applicants by June 27^th. The remaining league clubs will be able to hear from prospective clubs on July 3, then will vote later that day on who to admit to Division Three.

East of Scotland sides Spartans and Annan are among the favourites to take over the vacant slot in Division Three.

Nuneaton Borough go into liquidation (Tue 03 May)

Nuneaton Borough have gone into liquidation. The news was finally announced at a specially convened press conference at the club's Liberty Way ground on Monday afternoon.

The Football Association will decide which league the club will be playing in next season, though it looks like Boro will be relegated two tiers into the Midlands Division of the Southern League.

Ellesmere Port side Vauxhall Motors will be spared from relegation to the Unibond League and remain in the Blue Square North.

Gretna FC face extinction (Sun 01 May)

Gretna FC will cease to exist tomorrow after the man who might have supplied the money for the one remaining bid to save the club confirmed that he had withdrawn his support.

"There is no bid," said football agent Scott Hume of Hume International agency in Glasgow. "The bottom line is that I knew where the money was coming from, because it would have been coming through me, and I can assure you that I am not spending any money. That is it – there is nothing from us."

This means that administrators Wilson Field of Sheffield must put the club into liquidation, perhaps as early as tomorrow. All staff and players have already been paid off and the club's Raydale Park is likely to be sold to meet debts reported to be around the £4m mark.

Pre-season tournament entry confirmed (Sun 25 May)

Workington AFC will be competing in the Annan Athletic four team tournament held over the weekend of 19^th/20^th of July. The other two side involved in the tournament are Stranraer and Morton. Each side will play two games over the weekend.

Annan currently play in the East of Scotland Premier League but have aspirations of gaining entry to the Scottish Football League. Stranraer are in the Scottish Third Division and narrowly lost in the play-offs to Arbroath for promotion to the Second Division, while Morton play in the Scottish First Division.

Nuneaton Borough to drop out of the Conference North (Sat 24 May)

Nuneaton Borough look like they will be forced to drop out of the Blue Square North next season. Director Ian Neale said after talks in Birmingham on Tuesday that the club would go into administration following a board meeting later this week, triggering the demotion. "As soon as we go into administration the Conference will automatically relegate us but we shall take our punishment and look to take the club forward from there. Once we are relegated and out of the Conference's jurisdiction we come under the Football Association and they will decide at what level we shall start the 2008-2009 season".

Boston United face relegation from Conference North (Wed 21 May)

Boston United have officially come out of their Company Voluntary Agreement (CVA). At a creditors' meeting in Leeds on Tuesday, those owed cash by the club agreed, by proxy vote, to accept a re-structured pay deal which will be lower than the original amount of 47 pence in the pound they expected to receive. This means creditors will now be paid off, leaving the club with minimal debts. However, because the CVA was changed, the Conference still have the power to dock United points or relegate them.

Boston United chairman David Newton said, "We are currently trying to resolve our league status for next season. The Football Conference maintain that we are in breach of their rules, which could lead to the expulsion of the club from The Conference. We are currently preparing an appeal, which will be submitted to The Football Association, and we are hopeful of a positive outcome."

Season ticket prices remain unchanged (Mon 19 May)

The season ticket prices for the 2008/09 season have been announced and remain unchanged from last season's prices. An adult season ticket costs £180 offering value for money as it equates to only £8.57 per match.

Information on all the season tickets available can be found in the Supporters Section of the website.

News on pre-season friendlies being organised (Sat 17 May)

Scottish Cup finalists Queen of the South have been invited to play at Borough Park in a pre-season friendly. The Dumfries side are set to play Rangers in the cup final on the 24^th May.

The club has also received a request this week from Durham City to play a friendly at the Archibald Stadium. Durham City were promoted to the Unibond Division One North and there is a strong possibility that the invitation will be accepted.

Blue Square North 2008/09 line-up confirmed (Wed 14 May)

The league line-up for the 2008/09 season was confirmed by the League Committee today. With Halifax Town folding, Altrincham were reprieved from relegation from the Blue Square Premier league. The knock-on effect of this is that Hucknall Town were reprieved from relegation from Blue Square North.

Due to three northern sides being relegated from the Blue Square Premier a re-organisation of the teams in the Blue Square North and South leagues has been made. Worcester City and Redditch United have transferred to the Blue Square South league with King's Lynn joining the Reds in the Blue Square North after being promoted from the British Gas Southern Premier league. Fleetwood Town and Gateshead were promoted into the Blue Square North from the Unibond Premier League.

The complete line up of the Blue Square North for the 2008/09 season is:

AFC Telford United
Alfreton Town
Blyth Spartans
Boston United
Burscough
Droylsden
Farsley Celtic
Fleetwood Town
Gainsborough Trinity
Gateshead
Harrogate Town
Hinckley United
Hucknall Town
Hyde United
King's Lynn
Nuneaton Borough
Solihull Moors
Southport
Stafford Rangers
Stalybridge Celtic
Tamworth
Workington

Annual Presentation Night awards (Sat 10 May)

The annual presentation evening was held at the Waverley Hotel, Workington on Friday 9^th May.

The evening was enjoyed by all those attending with awards presented to the Reserve Team and First Team players and additionally they were presented to individuals recognising the hard work and effort put into the club over a number of years.

Details of the award winners and photographs of the presentations can be found here, Presentation Night.

Gateshead promoted to Conference North (Mon 5 May)

Gateshead ensured they will play in the Conference North next season after their win yesterday over Buxton by two goals to nil in the Unibond Premier play-off final at the International Stadium.

Joining Gateshead from the Unibond Premier in the Conference North next season will be Fleetwood Town who secured the league title on the final day of the season. Fleetwood Town overtook Witton Albion at the top of the league with a draw against Frickley Athletic after Witton Albion lost their final league game to Worksop Town three nil at home.

It was the third consecutive season that Witton Albion have finished as Unibond Premier division runners-up and have failed to go up through the play-offs.

Reds Reserves are up for the Cup (Fri 2 May)

Having taken the Lancashire League in their final game of the season, Reds Reserves are now on for a league and cup double as they compete for the Lancashie League Cup tommorow against Farsley Celtic Reserves at Borough Park, (3:00pm kick off).

The Reserves completed a memorable season in the league winning seventeen and drawing one of their twenty league games. They also scored a very impressive total of seventy seven goals giving them a goal difference of +54.

Their opponents in the final, Farsley Celtic Reserves, won the Lancashire League East Division on Tuesday night. The Reds Reserves were champions of the Lancashire League West Division.

Reserves leave City feeling blue (Fri 25 April)

The Reserves regained their outright lead at the top of the Lancit Haulage Lancashire League this evening with a convincing 4 - 1 win at the Lancaster.
Lancaster were the first to put the ball in the net on 4 minutes though, but the goal was ruled offside.

The next significant action saw Steven Rudd feeding Tony Nicholson leaving him one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Tony Nicholson didn't miss the opportunity to score and with 21 minutes on the clock the Reds were one up.

The lead was doubled three minutes later when Dan Rayson, (pictured), receiving the ball just outside the area, beat two defenders and fired his shot into the top of the net.

The Reds made it three on 63 minutes when Johnny Jardine, received a cross in a crowded Lancaster penalty area, turned and fired across the goal into the far left corner of the net.

The lead was nearly increased on two further occasions but the crossbar intervened to save Lancaster. The Reds did get a fourth on 83 minutes, a Steven Rudd through ball put in Dan Rayson who rounded the keeper to score.

The Dolly Blues caught the Reds out of position with plenty of players forward, an attack broke down allowing Lancaster to counter attack, resulting in them firing in a consolation goal on 85 minutes.
The Reds have one final league game left to play, against second place Fleetwood Town on Monday 28th April at Borough Park, 8pm kick off.

And the winner is ..... (Wed 23 April)

The National Supporters Club hold an annual raffle for a signed match ball with the draw being held last Saturday. The winner was drawn by Assistant Manager Viv Busby and witnessed by National Supporters Club Chairman Alec Graham and Reds Chairman Humphrey Dobie.

The winner of the signed match ball was Wirral based National Supporters Club member Trevor Gauntlett.

Dabber puts on hold his radio commentators job (Wed 23 April)

John Walsh can rest easy as his job with Radio Cumbria will be safe for a few more years yet as speculation regarding Dave Hewson future was clarified last night.

Dave himself said that his playing days are not over yet and the recent injury, a sprained ankle, was not to the same ankle previously injured this year. Dave is looking forward to having a good pre-season and will be raring to go come August 9^th.

Reserves run aground against the Fishermen (Mon 21 April)

The Reserves title challenge floundered slightly against Fleetwood Town on Monday night at the Highbury Stadium against a strong Fleetwood Town Reserve side. This was the Reserves first loss all season in the Lancit Haulage Lancashire League. They went down 3 - 0 with the Fleet goals coming from Lennie Reed, Jamie Wright and Danny Gillett

Both sides are now tied on 47 points with two game apiece left to play and they meet again at Borough Park on Monday 28th April in what could turn out to be the title decider.

Reserves preserve their lead at top of the table (Fri 18 April)

The Reds Reserves maintained their three point lead at the top of the Lancit Haulage Lancashire League with a 3 - 1 victory over Leigh RMI Reserves tonight. Dan Carmichael, (pictured), opened the scoring for the Reds on 12 minutes and the Reds maintained this lead until Leigh RMI equalised just before the hour mark.

The Reds lead was resumed when Ross Johnston scored, getting above the Leigh defense to thump in a header. Dan Rayson and Dan Carmichael both had headed chances late on to extend the lead, but the third Reds goal came in injury time when the Leigh RMI keeper made a good save but David Renyard was there to knock in the rebound.

In the other League game this evening, second place Fleetwood Town Reserves came out 4 - 0 victors over Bamber Bridge Reserves.

On Monday night the Reds Reserves travel to Fleetwood for the top of the table clash.

Reserves' League Cup final opponents confirmed (Thu 17 April)

Farsley Celtic Reserves came through winners of the remaining semi-final of the Lancit Haulage Lancashire League Cup winning 3 – 2 against Formby this evening to secure a place in the final.

The final, between Workington and Farsley, is to be played at Borough Park on the 3rd May, 3:00pm kick off.

Details can be found here, League Cup Final.

Club may lose Dave Hewson to injury (Wed 16 April)

Popular Reds player Dave Hewson was carried off during the Burscough game on Tuesday evening with an ankle injury. The club fear that Dave Hewson may have played his last game of football for Workington. The sustained injury was to the same ankle that he has previously injured this season on a number of occasions and he may decide to retire from Conference North football.

Thomas 'Tucker' Finley, (6 Oct 1933 - 10 Apr 2008). (Tue 15 Apr)

The club has been informed that 'Tucker' Finley passed away on Thursday 10th April. Tucker Finlay was born in Frizington and played under managers Bill Shankly and Joe Harvey. Tucker was a fullback and made a total of 94 appearances, scoring twice, between February 1956 and October 1959. His funeral service and cremation take place on Wednesday 16th April.

Reserves Lancashire League Cup final date confirmed (Sat 12 April)

The date has been confirmed for the Lancit Haulage Lancashire Cup final. The match is to be played at Borough Park on Saturday 3rd May, 3:00pm kick off.

Workington Reserves opponents in the final will be either Farsley Celtic or Formby FC who have yet to play their semi-final match.

Reserves through to Lancashire League Cup final (Fri 11 April)

Workington Reserves are through into the Lancit Haulage Lancashire League Cup final after overcoming Ossett Town Reserves this evening.

In a very eventful game where there were 6 reds cards and two yellow cards shown to the players and additionally the Ossett Town manager was sent from the touchline.

Reds opened the scoring with a well taken Andrew Hardman goal, rounding the keeper to score. The second was a spectacular 35 yard strike by Ross Johnston, with the third an equally special goal by Dan Gullen, (pictured). Picking the ball up in midfield, he beat four defenders and hit a stunning 25 yard shot over the keeper into the top corner of the net.

Ossett Town almost immediately pulled one back and a scuffle broke out between an Ossett player and Reds goalkeeper Aaron Taylor resulting in both these two and Johnny Jardine and a further Ossett player being sent off. Midfielder Steven Rudd took Taylor's place between the posts.

Shortly afterwards a further Ossett Town player was show a red card and the Ossett goalkeeper was lucky himself not to be red carded for a foul on Dan Carmichael in the area. This challenge resulted in a penalty and a yellow card. Phil McLuckie put the penalty away for a score of 4 - 1 to the Reds.

The drama was not over yet as another Ossett player was red carded for a last man foul on the edge of the area leaving Ossett Town with seven players to Reds' nine.

The final is to be played at Borough Park, though Reds opponents are yet to be decided between Farsley Celtic Reserves and Formby FC Reserves.

Reserves Lancaster fixture date confirmed (Tue 8 April)

Workington Reserves' secretary Herbert Briggs confirmed that the date for the away fixture against Lancaster Reserves has been set as Friday 22nd April, 8pm kick off at the Giant Axe.

Goals galore against Darwen (Fri 4 April)

Reds Reserves came out convincing winners tonight against Darwen Reserves in the Lancit Haulage Lancashire League to strengthen their lead at the top of the table. Top scorer with a hat-trick in each half was Tony Nicholson, (pictured). Dan Carmichael also got himself a hat-trick with the other two goals from Alex Dicker and David Renyard.

Worcester City date confirmed (Thu 3 April)

The new date for the Worcester City match has been confirmed as Tuesday 22nd April, 7:45pm kick off time.

Reserves triumph over Barrow (Updated Fri 4 April)

Workington Reserves secured some daylight over Fleetwood Town at the top of the Lancit Haulage Lancashire League this evening with a 5 - 0 win against bottom of the table Barrow Reserves at Borough Park.

The Reds Reserves goals were scored by David Renyard (2), (pictured), Tony Nicholson, Andrew Hardman, and Michael Reed.

Kyle May started the game, his first competitive football since his knee injury back on the 1^st March. He was replaced after 80 minutes by Dan McDermott.

Reserves Semi-final Cup Draw (Updated Wed 2 April)

Reserves secretary Herbert Briggs announced that Workington Reserves have been drawn away at Ossett Town in the semi-final of the Lancit Haulage Lancashire League Cup. The tie is to be played on Friday 11th April.

If the Reserves overcome Osset Town the final will be played at Borough Park, though it has not been resolved who their opponent would be.

The league fixture against Lancaster City Reserves scheduled for the 11th will be rearranged. Additionally, the fixture against Fleetwood Town Reserves on Wednesday 9th April has been postponed as Fleetwood have arranged another match on that date.