Latest news with #WorkingtonTown
BBC News
18-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Haven v Town - rugby league's great outpost derby
When we think of the great derbies in rugby league, our minds head straight for Wigan Warriors versus St Helens or Hull FC against Hull don't tell that to fans of the game in one of its great heartlands in west Cumbria. There it is all about Whitehaven and Workington clubs may be in League 1, rugby league's third tier, but that does not dim the passion or the bragging are up for grabs on Sunday as the pair meet at Whitehaven's Ortus Rec what is it that makes this fixture so special? Situated 10 miles apart along the west Cumbrian coast, Whitehaven and Workington are proper rugby league nearest significant football team, Carlisle United, is an hour up the road so, in sport, it is all about the 13-player isolated from the M62 corridor across the north of England that provides most of the teams, these two towns represent an area where the game has always been popular. Formed within a few years of each other in the 1940s, they tapped into the mining communities and Workington, in particular, made a big reached three Challenge Cup finals in seven seasons, winning it in 1952, while they were Premiership Champions the year too, had special moments including beating a touring Australian side in 1956 and losing in a Challenge Cup semi-final a few months were actually one of the 12 founding clubs of Super League in 1996, but won only two games that season in finishing bottom, were relegated, and have never returned. Fast forward to now and both teams are in the game's third division. Workington are third, well placed to claim one of the top-four places at the end of the season for the Super 8s to battle for three spots in the Championship for 2026 with the four lowest-placed sides in the second are eighth in the 10-team League 1 and will need a spectacular finish to get in the top do that, victory over their old rivals would be just the start. It would also be revenge for the narrow 10-8 defeat in the reverse league fixture on Good Friday at Derwent Park. 'Best rivalry in rugby league' One player who knows all about this fixture is Jamie Doran. Born in Whitehaven, he is now in his second spell at Workington, sandwiched in between two years at his hometown 30-year-old came through the ranks at Wigan as a youngster and made his debut for them in a Super League game at home against has seen the biggest game at close quarters, but the sport's importance to the local area gives Sunday's match extra significance."Walk through both towns and you'll see Super League shirts, NRL club shirts, but you'll always see a Whitehaven or Workington top," he told BBC Sport."The towns are quite small and everybody knows everybody. That makes it a little bit more exciting, especially for whoever wins in the week after the derby, at work, in the streets, when you see your friends. "Obviously both clubs are struggling a little bit now but, for me, it's the best rivalry in rugby league." With a foot in both camps, Doran would love to see both clubs do have spent eight of the past nine seasons in the third tier, while Haven are back at this level after five seasons in the is where Cumbria's other professional club, Barrow Raiders, currently sit Doran believes all three should be aspiring to play in rugby league's middle tier."If you ask me, you want all three Cumbrian clubs in the Championship - Whitehaven, Workington and Barrow," he said. "It makes for six great games a season - your fanbase picks up, the quality of the squad improves, more money off the RFL [Rugby Football League]."We want three established Championship clubs. Super League is probably out of the reach at the minute, but the Championship isn't. "There's nothing that can't stop us from doing that. Backing is important but Barrow seem to be doing that right now." Whitehaven were relegated to League 1 at the end of last season after a tumultuous were beset by financial problems with players going unpaid, board members resigning and the club's very future being under St Helens player and television pundit Kyle Amor came in for the last six games, but he could not prevent he knows that making sure the Marras are still playing this season was an effort in itself."My own ego wanted us to stay up but we were unable to do that given the challenges that were presented," he said."In hindsight, it was probably the best thing for the club as it allowed for a reset and to do what they are doing now. "I don't think they are out of the woods by any stretch, but I put my hands up to do that role to make sure the club carried on."There was a very real and serious threat the RFL was going to pull the licence away and rugby league would no longer exist in that town. "That's how serious it was." Stronger together? One Cumbria team? A proud son of Whitehaven, Amor had to leave his county to make it to the top of the game as a Super League and Challenge Cup winner at is a situation faced by all promising players in the area, with current St Helens and England forward Morgan Knowles the latest example of a fine Cumbrian export. Amor loves the derby, but he wonders if two, or even three, of Whitehaven, Workington and Barrow could merge into one Cumbrian team to allow rugby league to survive and thrive in the region. "They are talking about expanding Super League to a 14-team competition and yet again we look past a hotbed of the game which is west Cumbria," he said. "I don't believe rugby league can afford and sustain 36 professional clubs. "Central funding to League 1 has been cut and I genuinely believe there will come a point where one or both of those west Cumbria clubs will struggle to exist, unless they pull themselves together and try to move forward that way. "I think the game would welcome that. There is the old thing that Whitehaven and Workington will never merge and I get that."But if you put top-flight rugby in Cumbria, people will come and watch it regardless of which town it's in."
Leader Live
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
North Wales Crusaders all set for Dewsbury Rams clash
Last weekend's 56-22 victory over Workington Town has left Crusaders still at the top of League One and they are three points clear of second-placed Midlands Hurricanes with a game in hand. Ahead of the next big encounter, head coach Forster said: 'We're expecting a really tough game yet again this weekend. 'Dewsbury are a really strong side, they sit just outside of the play-off places as we speak, so they'll have their own aims of coming to Colwyn Bay and making a statement to get themselves back into the top-four contention as we head into those final few games. 'We've obviously beaten them already this season when we went there on the opening day and came away with a 20-10 victory, but that was the first game of the campaign and I think both teams have progressed since then, so I probably won't take too much from it.' Reflecting on last week's win, Forster added: 'I think it took everyone by surprise a bit, didn't it? 'All week the build-up had been about how tight the game would be, but I'm really proud of the lads, it was probably one of our best performances to date. 'What we can't do is get carried away with that now, if we believe in our own hype then we'll come unstuck this weekend against a solid Dewsbury side, and we need to be at the top of our game for the remainder of the season if we want to lift the league title come the end of it. 'A huge advantage last weekend was the atmosphere created by our supporters, these lads deserve a packed stadium this Sunday and a loud noise from minute one, we can all play our part in the title race both on the field and in the stands. 'Credit goes to our supporters, they're banging the drum for this club, the lads see that and it does help raise the levels on the field.' Looking at Sunday's visitors, Forster said: 'They're a really solid outfit. 'We know where their threats lie, we've done our homework on them as they'll have done on us, I think it will be a close game. 'They're probably a bit out of position in the table given the standard they can reach, I'd class Dewsbury as one of the top sides in this division, so we have to be aware of that going into this Sunday.'
Leader Live
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Regular run of matches at last for North Wales Crusaders!
With the nature of League One this year, it has been a stop-start campaign for Carl Forster's side, who have done well to only lose once so far. Nine wins from 10 games sees them three points clear at the summit ahead of Sunday's big showdown at home to second-placed Workington Town. This is one of three matches Cru will play in July and the stretch of matches will go a long way to deciding if they're about to secure the top honour. While the focus is on making this season a title-winning one, sights have also been switched to the future as Crusaders look to keep hold of their strong squad. Head coach Forster told CruCast: 'I believe that this team can go far, whether that be League One near the top, competing in the Championship. 'Whatever that may be, I believe in these lads. So, we feel like we've got a special thing at the minute. 'We are going to try and bring in additional players as well, but right now, it's about retention and keeping hold of what we have, and keeping hold of our assets and that's what these players are. 'If we can build something and be together for a sustained amount of time, I think it'll just pay the benefits.' North Wales have made sure a number of their key players are to remain with the club for the next few seasons. Two-year deals have been penned by the likes of Ollie Brookes, Cole Oakley, Sam Wilde and Josh Eaves, who have all proved to be pivotal figures during what's been an excellent campaign so far for the side. Forster added: 'Going longer down the line, you see a lot of part-time teams - ourselves included - in the last couple of years where you're changing 10 lads every season and it just becomes tough. 'I think pre-season as a coach, you just feel like you're starting from scratch again and you've got five or six lads that did it all the year before, and probably look a little bit bored and that's just the cycle of part-time rugby. 'You know, we're just trying to do things a little bit different.' There's still a long way to go this season and Crusaders have eight matches left to play. They are three points ahead of Workington Town and Midlands Hurricanes, with Swinton Lions a further point adrift in the chase for the league title. Dewsbury Rams are also in the mix and they will be heading to North Wales on July 13. Crusaders will conclude their July programme away to Newcastle Thunder a fortnight later. Third-placed Midlands, beaten by Goole Vikings last time out, will be looking to bounce back as they host mid-table Rochdale Hornets on Sunday. Keighley Cougars welcome Dewsbury Rams and Swinton Lions pay a visit to Whitehaven.
Leader Live
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Carl admits to nerves when he watches North Wales Crusaders
Forster never suffered from nerves during a successful playing career, but he tends to be plagued by them in his coaching seat! Preparing for Sunday's big top-of-the-table showdown at home to Workington Town, Forster told CruCast: 'In terms of the pressure I feel, I feel like I'm getting better. 'I do get very nervous not playing. I was never nervous as a player, I think just because you feel like you can do something about the outcome. 'But, kind of, when you get to a game day, it's pretty much all on the lads and everything is kind of took out of your hands. 'So, that's why I do get nervous, but I don't know why I'm nervous, because the boys keep delivering and I am kind of trying to become a little bit more relaxed leading up to the game and just enjoying it more.' Crusaders will maintain their healthy three-point advantage at the top of the League One standings if they can secure a 10th triumph of the campaign on Sunday.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cumberland Sports Village plans set to go on public display
Plans for the Cumberland Sports Village in Workington (Image: Cumberland Council) Proposals for the Cumberland Sports Village in Workington are set to go on display at a series of public engagement events and at locations across the town. Public events will be held at the Carnegie Theatre and Arts Centre on Wednesday, July 9, and Wednesday, July 16, from 2pm to 7pm. Advertisement Dave Bowden, spokesman for Cumberland Sports Village, said: "We thank everyone involved in reaching this stage and look forward to making this vision a reality. "The plans for the new site will soon go on show and we encourage anyone interested in knowing more about the development to make a visit to one of our public engagement events." The plans will also be available to view from Monday, July 7, to Friday, July 25, at the following locations during normal office hours and on match days: Workington Reds AFC at Borough Park, Workington Town RLFC at Derwent Park, and Workington library. The Cumberland Sports Village project is supported by UK taxpayer funding allocated via the Government's Town Deal, Cumberland Council, and the Football Foundation. Advertisement The project aims to deliver a 'modern, fit-for-purpose' stadium facility for both Workington AFC and Workington Town RLFC, while also serving as a hub for the wider community and businesses. The proposed stadium includes a new main stand, spectator facilities, a function suite, executive boxes, a sports bar, and an external fan zone. Plans for the main stand include seating for 1,000 people, including wheelchair-accessible spaces, and a first-floor function suite with capacity for around 120 guests. The stand is also expected to house executive boxes with terrace seating, administrative offices, a media suite, and a match day control room. Advertisement Four changing rooms are set to be provided for clubs, officials, and community groups, along with medical and laundry facilities. Plans will see the north stand terrace rebuilt to accommodate 700 standing spectators, and the east and south stands will each offer covered standing areas for 1,000 fans. The existing turf pitch is expected to be replaced with a 3G surface suitable for both football and rugby. Other planned improvements include new turnstiles, pitch perimeter fencing, and upgraded floodlighting. According to the council, the stadium have a total capacity of 3,700, including 2,700 standing and 1,000 seated spaces. Advertisement External access and parking is expected to be adjusted to suit the new layout, while the existing road network will be largely retained. The project is being delivered by Cumberland Sports Village Ltd, with management support from a team of specialists including FWP, Curtins, PSA, Baker Mallet, Wardell Armstrong, and Savills. A planning application is expected to be submitted at the end of the month. If approved, construction is expected to begin in 'early 2026', with the goal of completing the project by 'late summer 2027'. Cumberland Sports Village Ltd will oversee the ongoing operation of the facility, while day-to-day development management is being handled by Cumberland Sports Village Management Ltd. The community pitch element will be delivered by the Football Foundation. Members of the public are encouraged to provide feedback on the plans by visiting
