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How It All Started
In 1890 Workington Reds became founder members of the Cumberland Association League where they remained until 1894. A seven year spell in the Cumberland Senior League followed. Whilst in this league the Reds recorded a record win over the Cockermouth Crusaders with a score of 17-1.
Lancashire League status was obtained in the year 1901, although, after only two seasons the Reds returned to the Cumberland Senior League for one year. From 1904-10 Workington competed in the Lancashire Combination but, in an effort to economise, it was decided to switch to the North Eastern League. After one season in the year 1910 the club was disbanded, and went into voluntary liquidation.
Workington Reds AFC was re-founded in 1921 after a 10 year break.
After election to the North Eastern League for the start of the 1921-22 campaign, they commenced the season with a game at South Shields reserves where they were beaten by a score of 2-1. After their earlier struggles the team eventually finished second in the season of 1938-39. This memorable season in their history included a run of 18 unbeaten league and cup games. In 1935 and 1937 the team won the North Eastern League Cup and they losing finalists in 1938. On eight occasions the team scored a century of goals with 147 in the 1933 season.
The club's complete North Eastern League record was: Played 923
Won 454
Drew 150
Lost 319
Goals for 2205
Goals against 1667.
The Golden Years
Saturday the 18th of August 1951 will forever remain a significant date in Workington Reds long history, as this was the date that the team made their debut in the Football League at Halifax Town. Life was a struggle in the early years as an 8-0 defeat was inflicted upon them by Wrexham.
However, after the club stabilised their position they enjoyed some epic battles which are now and forever part of history. During the 1957-58 season they entertained Manchester United at Borough Park, in the third round of the FA Cup. The Busby Babes as they were known, included Harry Gregg in goal with Bobby Charlton and the late great Duncan Edwards who sadly was lost in the Munich Aircrash some days later. The Reds were never meant to be on the same stage as Sir Matt Busby’s Babes but the Workington gave them a magnificent game until Dennis Violet completed his hat- trick in the second half, running out eventually as 3-1 winners. This game was played in front of 21,000 fans which is a record for Borough Park. During the 1965-66 season Workington inflicted defeats of 7-0 at home and 6-1 away on Swansea City.
Their most notable managers during this period of success included such famous names as Joe Harvey and Bill Shankly whose name is recognised the world over. There was also Keith Burkinshaw who later guided Spurs to one of their memorable FA Cup wins. Promotion from the 4th division was finally achieved under the guidance of Ken Furphy who later became employed with the England team.It was also during this era that the Reds reached the League Cup Quarter finals where they lost to a great West Ham Utd team.
The following season the team entertained Chelsea at Borough Park and held them to a 2-2 draw.In the replay at Stamford Bridge Chelsea were the winners by a score of 2-0. Previously Workington had beaten Blackburn Rovers of the first division by a score of 5-1 at Ewood Park and defeated second division Norwich City at Borough Park.A 9-1 victory over Barrow in 1964 was a League Cup record until it was finally broken in 1983-84 season.
The clubs best season in the FA Cup was the 1933-34 season when as a non league club the Reds reached the fourth round, only to lose to Preston North End 2-1 at Lonsdale Park. In 1951-52 the team lost 1-0 to Liverpool at Anfield in front of 52,581 spectators.
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