Reds will travel more miles next season as they prepare for their sixth campaign in Conference North.

Their twenty-one match programme  on the road next term will amount to an aggregate mileage of 8,122 – an increase of about two hundred miles on last season.

We lose the relatively short trips to Southport, Fleetwood and Northwich and, instead, make the longer journeys to Boston, Nuneaton and Worcester.

No fewer than ten of our away matches are 200 miles plus with Corby Town (270) the longest of those.  Last season, our longest journey for a league game was at Cirencester where Gloucester City were ground sharing.  We will be playing City again this season but this time at Cheltenham Town’s Whaddon Road – some fifteen miles nearer!

The club have requested to play Blyth Spartans for the Boxing Day and New Year’s Day fixtures.  That was the intention last season, of course, but both games were postponed because of snow and ice and subsequently played in March.

The constitution of Blue Square North, to be ratified at the AGM at Southport next month, will be as follows:

AFC Telford United, Alfreton Town, Blyth Spartans, Boston United, Corby Town, Droylsden, Eastwood Town, Gainsborough Trinity, Gloucester City, Guiseley, Harrogate Town, Hinckley United, Hyde United, Ilkeston Town, Nuneaton Town, Redditch United, Solihull Moors, Stafford Rangers, Stalybridge Celtic, Vauxhall Motors, Worcester City and Workington.

The league campaign will kick-off on 14^th August with final games played on 30^th April 2011.

The final game of a long season was played at Borough Park on Monday when the Cumbria Womens League staged their League Cup Final at the ground.  Whitehaven and Carlisle Newlaithes contested an entertaining final which the former won 5-2.

Included in the Whitehaven line-up was Kirsty Robson the grand-daughter of fifties Reds’ legend, Billy Robson.  The former inside forward was part of a decent crowd providing family support.

A number of local finals and tournaments have been staged at the ground in recent weeks adding to the forty five first and reserve team fixtures played over the course of the season.

Groundsman Jeff Curwen, (pictured), will now begin the task of getting the pitch back into prime condition for the start of the 2010-11 campaign.

Our FA trophy exploits last season will live in the memory bank for sometime to come and the briefest of mentions in last week’s FA Trophy Final programme will now remind others of our achievements.

In the ‘Road to Wembley’ feature, the programme reports:  “Stevenage came from behind against Workington to earn a place in the last four.  The Conference North outfit went ahead on 24 minutes courtesy of Phil McLuckie’s opening goal at the Lamex Stadium and it looked as though a real shock might be in store until Long equalised ten minutes into the second half.  Workington would have fancied their chances in a replay on home turf but, instead, saw their FA Trophy dreams come to an end as Long notched a second goal on the stroke of full time to break Cumbrian hearts.”

Stevenage Borough’s Michael Bostwick was quoted, “The game against Workington in the Fourth Round was a bit of a struggle (a back-handed compliment, I suppose) as we were 1-0 down.” while a general review mentions Shaun Vipond’s winning goal in the previous round at AFC Wimbledon.

One of the Assistant Referees on duty in the Barrow v. Stevenage Borough final was Newark official, David Coote, who actually refereed our game at Stevenage back in February.

Former Reds players were prominent in the Wembley crowd with Billy Gilmour (he played in the 1990 final for Barrow) and Gary Messenger part of the contingent of former players invited to mark the 20^th anniversary of Barrow’s previous appearance at the national stadium.  Neil McDonald had the best seat in the house, of course, watching the game from the Royal Box area.

Meanwhile, the club have sent their congratulations to Barrow on winning the Trophy for a second time – a fantastic achievement.

Several former Workington players were involved in the recently held Cumberland Cup Final when Penrith met first time finalists, Gillford Park, at Brunton Park.

Penrith emerged emphatic 6-0 winners – the biggest winning margin for nearly fifty years – with ex. Reds’ David Lynn (2), Dean Douglas (2) and Dan Robinson, (pictured right), amongst the goals.

Apart from the scorers, Penrith also named James Holland, Mark Jones, Graham Anthony, Matty Lea and Richard Prokas on their team sheet – all of whom have played first team football for Reds in the past.

Gillford’s line-up included the likes of Stephen Skinner, James Parker, Peter Ferris, Craig Thompson, Tyran Taylor and Michael Reed, (pictured left), and they too have links with us in the past.

All four teams involved in the Blue Square North promotion play-offs use red as their first choice colour but it is the Cumbrian Reds against the Derbyshire Reds which will command most interest in this part of the world.

Although we completed a league double over Town in our first season of Conference North football, we haven’t managed to get the better of them in the eight encounters since and they are unbeaten on their last four visits to west Cumbria.

Results over last five seasons:

Season          Home          Away

 05-06              2-0               3-1

 06-07              1-1               1-1   

 07-08              1-2               0-2

 08-09              0-3               0-0

 09-10              1-1               0-2

Darren Edmondson didn’t score too many goals in his latter playing days at Workington but he has netted home and away against Alfreton.  Edmo found the target in our 3-1 win at The Impact Arena over four years ago then grabbed our equaliser here the season after.   

He will have a different ‘double’ to contend with this week as a two match touchline ban will come into force for the two play-off fixtures.  Ironically, this follows a misconduct charge for comments made to the referee after our game at Alfreton back in February.

Both Reds go into the play-offs on the back of impressive unbeaten runs – Alfreton on nine and Workington on eleven.

Referee Paul Kettlewell will make a quick return to Borough Park on Wednesday having officiated here in the Stafford Rangers match.  He will be the Fourth Official while the man-in-the-middle, Seb Stockbridge, makes his second visit to Borough Park this term having previously controlled the Ilkeston Town fixture.  His assistants will be Rob Denton and Chris Poole.

Droylsden and Fleetwood Town will contest the other two-legged tie.

*** Action from the Borough Park encounter last season.

Carling mention for Reds  (Sat 13 Mar) 

Last month’s Carling Cup Final between Aston Villa and Manchester United at Wembley concluded the 50^th anniversary of the Football League Cup competition.

To commemorate the fiftieth final, supporters were asked to nominate their favourite moments throughout the history of the competition and Workington’s famous 5-1 win over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park during the 1964-65 season made it into the ‘top fifty’.

We feature on page 84 of the programme published for the final with a black and white team photograph supplemented by three paragraphs, one of which is factually incorrect, of text.  The actual photograph used was taken much later than when the historic match took place and five of our heroes that played at Blackburn – Ian Lindsay, Ken Furphy, Keith Burkinshaw, Barry Lowes and Dave Carr – don’t even feature on the picture!

Reds will travel to play Northern League Second Division outfit, Gillford Park, in the semi-final of the Cumberland Cup – a tie which has arranged for Thursday 18^th March, kick-off 7.45pm.

The draw sets up the possibility of Aaran Taylor playing against his brother, Tyron, while a number of ex. Reds will be hoping to plot our downfall.

The likes of Ryan Smith, Craig Thompson, Stuart Moffat, James Parker, Steven Skinner and Mike Read are all playing for Gillford this season having had Reds’ connections in the past.

The last time we played each other in the Cumberland Cup was three years ago, also at the semi-final stage, when Darren Edmondson headed home the only goal of the match at Borough Park.

Gillford Park accounted for Wetheriggs United in the previous round thanks to an extra time winner from Mike Read.

In the other semi, Penrith are due to play the winners of the Harraby CC/ Whitehaven tie which was controversially called off nearly a fortnight ago.

The Gillford Park stadium (CA1 3AF) is south of Carlisle city centre, adjacent to the main line railway, and can be accessed via Petteril Bank Road.

Rossendale manager John Hughes had three new signings in his side on Saturday which also included former Barrow player Ryan Zico Black.

Rossendale remain at the foot of the Unibond League First Division North but the performance against promotion hopefuls Curzon Ashton and the three points gives them hope of avoiding relegation.

The deal intended to saved Farsley Celtic, brokered by Farsley Celtic's president John Palmer with help from Leeds City Council, failed when no bid acceptable to the administrators was received by the administrators 12 noon deadline. 

The Farsley Celtic website this evening only states, "Tomorrow's match against Workington will not take place.  Full details to follow.  Updated 3.40pm, Friday 5^th March."

The Reserves’ Lancashire League fixture at Bamber Bridge on Saturday has been postponed because the Irongate pitch is waterlogged.

Their next scheduled fixture is at Borough Park on Wednesday (3/3) when Curzon Ashton are the visitors.  Kick-off 7.45pm.

The fitness of Anthony Wright and Jonny Wright was assessed by physio Sue Pollock on Friday night at the hotel.

Winger Anthony Wright looks like he has recovered from his hamstring injury and will be available to for Saturday's FA Trophy quarter final tie at Stevenage.

Meanwhile striker Jonny Wright, (pictured left), faces a Saturday morning fitness test with manager Darren Edmondson.  Jonny was still feeling some stiffness on Friday but was hopeful that this would ease with a run and treatment off physio Sue Pollock.

The Cumberland Cup tie against Carlisle Amatteurs is to be played on Saturday 6th March and as this coincides with Reds match at Farsley Celtic, the Cup tie will be played as a Reserve team fixture.

Open meeting announced for all Reds fans  (Thu 11 Feb)

An open meeting has been arranged for Thursday 18^th February, 7:30pm in the Borough Park Social club.

The meeting presided over by the Reds Chairman Humphrey Dobie and Commercial Manager Les Smallwood will outline the future plans for the development of Borough Park and highlight the initiatives planned to help realise these plans.

“Exciting plans to take the club forward will be unveiled and we want the fans, to be part of that journey.”

“Edmo’s men have shown a great togetherness on the field which has helped take us so close to Wembley with a 12-match unbeaten run and into a possible play-off challenge in Blue Square North.”

“We want that same togetherness off the field and want to keep the supporters fully informed of where we are going and what we are planning” announced the new Commercial Manager Les Smallwood, (pictured right).

Humphrey Dobie, (pictured left), stated, “We want to take the supporters along with us every step of the way, to see and hear what we have in mind and how we think our objectives can best be achieved.”

“These are exciting times for the club. We are currently on the crest of a wave and we want to keep moving forward.”

Every Reds fans is encouraged to come along on the Thursday night to find out what the future plans are for the club.

After numerous fixture cancellations the Reserve team are now playing catch up with between two and six games in hand over all the opposition teams.

Last Thursday’s thrilling 5 – 4 win at Formby lifted the Reserves three places from the bottom place in the league table to eighth.

Further victories next Thursday against Barrow at Borough Park, (8:00pm kick off), and on the following Monday 1^st February also at Borough Park, (8:00pm kick off), against league leaders Woodley Sports could see them comfortably into the top half of the table still with games in hand.

The draw for the Lancashire League Cup has given the Reserves a bye in the First Round, with them playing away to the winners of Bamber Bridge and Lancaster City in the Second Round.  The date for this tie is yet to be confirmed.

The draw every Reds fan wanted  (Sat 23 Jan)

Our reward for the superb win over Rushden & Diamonds is an away tie at AFC Wimbledon – the tie, I think, most Reds’ fans wanted.  It has created a great deal of interest and the team will have the backing of a decent support at The Cherry Red Records Fans’ Stadium (Kingsmeadow) on Saturday week.

The nearest rail station is Norbiton which is less than a mile from Kingsmeadow.  Trains run from Waterloo every fifteen minutes via Clapham Junction and Wimbledon (terminating at Shepperton or Strawberry Hill).  Leave the station via the rear exit and take the first left onto Norbiton Avenue.  Turn right at the end onto Gloucester Road and continue to Kingston Road.  Turn left and Kingsmeadow is 400 yards on the right.

Cumberland Cup match v. Greystoke arranged for Monday 25^th January kick-off 7.30pm.

The away game at Hyde United has had to be re-arranged due to our continued involvement in the FA Trophy.  We will now visit them on Monday 19^th April.

Reserves’ Lancashire League match at Curzon Ashton,  scheduled for next Wednesday, has been cancelled.

The home game v. Barrow will now revert to it’s original date of Thursday 28^th January kick-off 8pm.

There will be much relief around Borough Park tonight as Reds return to action for the first time in over five weeks.  The delayed FA Trophy tie v. Conference Premier outfit, Rushden & Diamonds, will be their first outing since the odd goal win over Nuneaton Town in the First Round of the competition back on 12^th December.

Since then, of course, the club have had to postpone eleven fixtures including last night’s Cumberland Cup tie v. Greystoke which, unlike the others, was not pitch related.  The playing surface was perfect but a problem with the floodlights (no cherry-picker available to install new bulbs) meant the game had to be cancelled.

It has been a frustrating time for manager Darren Edmondson and, although keen to have another crack at Justin Edinburgh’s talented side, he will be disappointed to go into the tie with a depleted team.  Phil McLuckie and top scorer Gareth Arnison miss out through suspension for misdemeanours over a month ago while Anthony Wright was a major doubt through illness.

Edmo’s preparations have been far from ideal and will be in sharp contrast to that of Edinburgh.  The Diamonds party travelled up to Cumbria yesterday and a light training session and plenty of relaxation will precede their short trip to the stadium.  Edmondson, meanwhile, will watch his players turn up at the ground having spent the day at work.

A repeat of Diamonds’ comfortable 3-0 FA Cup victory in October is the most probable scenario although R & D have only played once themselves during the cold spell and they, too, will be 'ring rusty'.

Match referee tonight will be north-east based Scott Duncan who was last here eighteen months ago for the pre-season friendly v. Carlisle United.  He was on Football League duty, on the line, at Barnsley on Saturday.

The FA assessor, meanwhile, will be a former Football League referee who was one of the few officials to gain popularity amongst the Borough Park faithful.  Barrow based Mike Pike refereed Reds no fewer than a dozen times between 1989 and 1999 with ten of those occasions at Workington.  He last controlled a Reds game in the FA Vase quarter-final at Bedlington Terriers eleven years ago and then spent over a decade on the  Football League in the middle.

It will be the first time Reds have met the same opposition in both FA Cup and Trophy during the same season.