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Workington Town

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Workington Town
Club information
Full nameWorkington Town Rugby League Football Club
Nickname(s)Town
Worky
Colours
Founded1945; 79 years ago (1945)
Websitetownrlfc.com
Current details
Ground(s)
CoachJonty Gorley[1]
CompetitionRFL League 1
2023 League 15th
Current season
Uniforms
Home colours
Records
Premierships1 (1950–51)
Runners-up1 (1957/58)
Challenge Cups1 (1951–52)
Lancashire Cup1 (1977–78)
Second Division1 (1992/93)
Western Division Championship1 (1962/63)

Workington Town is a semi-professional rugby league club based in Workington, West Cumbria, England. The club plays home games at Derwent Park and competes in the League One, the third tier of British rugby league.

Workington have won the League Championship once in 1951 and Challenge Cup in 1952.

The clubs traditional home colours are white shirts with a blue V. Their main rivals are Whitehaven, while they also have a Cumbrian rivalry with Barrow Raiders.

History

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1944–1945: Establishment

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Former logo

Workington Town RLFC was formed at a meeting held in the Royal Oak Hotel, Workington in December 1944. Many of Workington Town's board came from local football team Workington AFC's board and the team would ground share with "the Reds" at Borough Park. It was decided at the meeting that the club should be registered as a business and that an application for membership of the Rugby Football League should be submitted. From those in attendance at that meeting the first board of directors was formed and the application for membership was agreed at a meeting held on 23 January 1945 at the Grosvenor Hotel, Manchester. They were the first side from Cumberland to enter the professional rugby league.

They first played their home games, wearing green and red hoops, at Borough Park. The first match against Broughton Rangers on Saturday 25 August 1945 attracted a crowd of 4,100 to Borough Park. Workington went on to win 27–5.[2]

In their first season, they achieved the distinction of losing to an amateur side, Sharlston Rovers in the first round of the Challenge Cup, a very rare occurrence in those days. However, the first round was a two leg affair, and they were able to make amends in the return leg and progress to the second round.

1946–1969: Golden era

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Gus Risman joined Workington Town as player-coach in August 1946 when they had been in the Rugby League for only one season. In his eight years at the club, he made them into a team capable of beating Wigan or anyone else in the league. There was a club record 20,403 for the third round cup game against St. Helens. Town finished third of 29 clubs but had a tough draw; the only Yorkshire teams they played were Bradford, Leeds, Halifax, Keighley and York. They played these five home and away as well as all the teams from Lancashire. All the top four that season were all from the Western side of the Pennines and Workington went on to become rugby league champions in 1951. After beating reigning champions Wigan by 8-5 away at Central Park in the play-off semi-final, Town became champions themselves for the one, and so far only, time by beating Warrington in the final held at Maine Road, Manchester by 26-11. Warrington raced into an early 8-0 lead after 30 mins before a try from Paskins and 2 tries each from Gibson and Wilson, supplemented by 3 goal kicks from Risman, brought the title to Cumbria.

The following season they then beat Featherstone Rovers 18–10 in front of a crowd of 72,093 at Wembley Stadium to become Challenge Cup winners; this was the first final to be televised. No other club, before or after, has lifted both these trophies within such a short period of their formation. During the 1954–55 season, Workington Town made it to the Challenge Cup final but were beaten 21–12 by Barrow. Owing to tension between the football club's manager Bill Shankly and the Town manager, Gus Risman and director Tom Mitchell, Town moved out of Borough Park in 1956 and took a 150-year lease on the land at Derwent Park and built a new stadium.

Workington Town lost in the 1958 Challenge Cup final to Wigan and one week later, they lost in the Championship final at Odsal Stadium, Bradford.

In 1962, the league was split into East and West of the Pennines; Widnes and Workington Town met at Central Park, Wigan, in the first final of the Western Division Championship on Saturday 10 November 1962. With two minutes remaining, Syd Lowdon dropped a goal to earn Workington a 9–9 draw. Later in the month Workington won the replay 10–0.

The record attendance at Derwent Park was set in 1965 when 17,741 spectators turned up for a third round Challenge Cup match against Wigan.

1970–1995

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The early 1970s brought demise of Town as a power in the game and the fans dropped off making it very difficult for the management to come up with the cash to bring in top class players who were being enticed out of the county to other clubs. Paul Charlton took over as player-coach in 1975 and guided them to promotion. Local players returned to the club and a team consisting mainly of home grown players started to bring back glory to the Town by appearing in a Lancashire Cup Final in October 1976. They appeared in a further three finals in consecutive season winning the trophy by defeating Wigan in the 1977 final.

The last of those four finals was staged at Salford's Willows ground on Saturday 8 December 1979, and attracted a crowd of 6,887. Widnes were firm favourites to lift the cup and held the Cumbrians at bay to register an 11–0 victory. Probably as a result of the three previous finals, several top class forwards caught the eye of the wealthy Lancashire clubs who enticed them away from Derwent Park.

Tommy Bishop was coach between 1981 and 1982. The 1980s were the lowest era in the club's history as it saw Town mainly as a yo-yo side going in and out of the first division but mostly wallowing halfway down the second. During this period, the fan base practically disappeared, and as the 1990s arrived it was third division rugby status.

Peter Walsh joined Town as Head Coach in the summer of 1992. Town were beaten finalists in the 1992–93 Divisional Premiership going down to Featherstone Rovers while in the Third Division. Workington won the Second Division Championship and Divisional Premiership trophy double in 1993–94, the Divisional Premiership was won over London Crusaders at Old Trafford, Manchester. That took them into the top flight of rugby league and Town finished ninth in the Stones Bitter Championship.

Leeds on the attack against Workington Town at Derwent Park in August 1994

Peter Walsh quit as the coach of Workington Town to return to Australia in July 1995.[3]

1996–present: Summer era

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When the Super League was set up, it was proposed that Workington merge with Barrow, Carlisle and Whitehaven to form a Cumbrian super club to be based at Workington. This was, however, resisted and an unmerged Workington took part in Super League but would record only two wins all season. They finished bottom of the table and were relegated to the Northern Ford Premiership with significant debts.

In 2002 Town dropped into National League Two as a result of losing to Dewsbury in what was the fore-runner of the National League Two Grand Final. Billy McGinty took over as coach on 25 May 2003.

In 2003, Ged Stokes was in charge of the New Zealand A-team on their tour of England. At the end of the tour, he was offered the vacant coaching job at Town. Workington were at a low ebb and had only seven players in their squad.[4]

A Challenge Cup game against Leeds brought a large crowd that allowed the club to clear their debts. Assistant coaches Craig Barker and Les Ashe took over and led the team to the Elimination Semi-final but they were defeated by Oldham. A few weeks after Town's 2007 season had come to a close, Town appointed Whitehaven coach Dave Rotheram as their new coach. In Rotheram's first season in charge Town finished eighth in National League Two with only six wins from their twenty two games and were eliminated in the first round of the play-offs at Keighley.

Following a poor start to the 2009 season, with Town only gaining two wins up to that point, Dave Rotherham decided to step down. He was replaced in July 2009 by joint coaches Martin Oglanby and Gary Charlton.[5]

2011 was a much better year with Town reaching the 2011 Championship 1 Grand Final by defeating Keighley 19–10 in the elimination semi-final.[6] In 2021 Workington were promoted to the English Rugby League Championship, with a 36-12 win over Doncaster in the League 1 play-off final.[7] In Workington Town's first game back in the Championship, they were defeated 20-6 by Newcastle Thunder.[8] In the 2022 RFL Championship season, Workington Town were relegated back to League 1 after finishing bottom of the table. Workington managed to win only one match for the entire year. Workington finished the 2023 League 1 season in 5th place.[9]

Stadium

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1944–1956: Borough Park

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Main article: Borough Park (Workington)

Workington moved into Borough Park in 1944 and shared it with association football club Workington AFC. Owing to tension between the football club's manager Bill Shankly and the Town manager, Gus Risman and director Tom Mitchell, Town took a 150-year lease on the land at Derwent Park and moved out in 1956.

1956–present

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Main article: Derwent Park

Town built a stadium on the ground they squired after leaving Borough Park in 1956 and won the RFL Championship whilst playing there. The record attendance at Derwent Park was set in 1965 when 17,741 spectators turned up for a third round Challenge Cup match against Wigan. The football pitch at Derwent Park is surrounded by a 364 metres (398 yards) motorcycle speedway track.

The modern Workington side play at a far lower level than their 1950s equivalent. Although they have struggled to match earlier achievements, Town maintain a small but dedicated (and vocal) support. Also attracting some big name, former Super League players.

Players

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Players earning international caps while at Workington Town

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  • Harry Beverley won caps for England while at Dewsbury 1975 Australia, while at Workington 1979 Wales
  • Edward "Eddie" Bowman won caps for Great Britain while at Workington 1977 France, New Zealand, Australia (2 matches)
  • Paul Charlton won caps for England while at Salford 1975 France won caps for Great Britain while at Workington 1965 New Zealand, while at Salford 1970 New Zealand (sub), 1972 France (2 matches), Australia (2 matches), France, New Zealand, 1973 Australia (3 matches), 1974 France (2 matches), Australia (3 matches), New Zealand (3 matches) (World Cup 1970 1-cap, 1972 4-caps, 1-try)
  • Gareth Dean won caps for Wales while at Wigan, unattached, Workington Town, AS Carcassonne, and Celtic Crusaders 2001...2007 7(10, 12?)-caps + 4-caps (sub)
  • Brian Edgar won caps for England while at Workington 1962 France won caps for Great Britain while at Workington 1958 Australia, New Zealand, 1961 New Zealand, 1962 Australia (3 matches), New Zealand, 1965 New Zealand, 1966 Australia (3 matches)
  • Kevin Ellis won caps for Wales while at Warrington, Workington Town, and Bridgend Blue Bulls 1991...2004 14(15?)-caps + 1-cap (sub) 2(5?)-tries (1-drop-goal?) 13(21?)-points
  • David Fraisse won caps for France while at Workington 1995 ?-caps
  • Bruce Gibbs won caps for Other Nationalities while at Workington circa-1975 ?-caps
  • Edward "Eppie" Gibson won caps for England while at Workington 1947 France, 1951 Other Nationalities, Wales, 1953 Other Nationalities
  • Ray Glastonbury won a cap for Wales while at Workington Town 1963 1-cap
  • Leslie "Les" Gorley won caps for England while at Workington 1977 Wales, 1981 Wales (sub) won caps for Great Britain while at Widnes 1980 New Zealand, New Zealand (sub), 1981 France (2 matches), 1982 Australia
  • James "Jimmy" Hayton won caps for England while at Workington 1949 Other Nationalities
  • John Henderson won a cap for England while at Workington 1953 Wales
  • Norman Herbert won caps for England while at Workington 1962 France won caps for Great Britain while at Workington 1961 New Zealand, 1962 France, Australia (3 matches), New Zealand
  • Stephen Holgate won caps for England while at Workington 1995 France
  • Lynn Hopkins won a cap for Wales while at Workington Town 1982 1-cap 1-goal 2-points
  • Frederick "Fred" Hughes won caps for Wales while at Barrow, and Workington Town 1945...1946 3-caps
  • William "Billy" Ivison won caps for England while at Workington in 1949 against Wales, and Other Nationalities, in 1951 against Other Nationalities, in 1952 against Other Nationalities, and won caps for British Empire XIII while at Workington Town on Wednesday 23 January 1952 against New Zealand at Stamford Bridge, and represented Great Britain while at Workington Town in 1952 against France (non-Test matches).[3]
  • Mark Johnson won caps for South Africa while at Workington 1995 ?-caps
  • John "Johnny" Lawrenson won caps for England while at Wigan: 1939 Wales, 1940 Wales, 1941 Wales, 1946 Wales (2 matches), 1948 Wales, France, 1949 Wales, Other Nationalities, while at Workington: 1950 [Opposition?] won caps for Great Britain while at Wigan 1948 Australia (3 matches)
  • Vivian 'Vince' McKeating won caps for England while at Workington 1951 Wales, France won caps for Great Britain while at Workington 1951 New Zealand (2 matches)
  • William "Bill" Martin won a cap for Great Britain while at Workington in 1962 against France
  • John "Johnny" 'Rupert' Mudge won caps for Other Nationalities while at Workington Town circa-1951 ?-caps
  • William "Bill" Pattinson won caps for England while at Workington 1981 France (sub), Wales
  • Tony Paskins won caps for Other Nationalities while at Workington Town 1948...55 11-caps
  • Albert Pepperell won a cap for British Empire XIII while at Workington in 1952 against New Zealand, and won caps for Great Britain while at Workington in 1950 against New Zealand, and in 1951 against New Zealand
  • Rowland Phillips won caps for Wales while at Warrington, and, Workington Town 1991...1996(1998?) 7(15, 14?)-caps + 10-caps (sub) 2-tries 8-points
  • John Risman won caps for Wales while at Workington Town 1978...1979 2(3?)-caps + 1-cap (sub)
  • Ike Southward won caps for Great Britain while at Workington
  • Raymond "Ray" Wilkins won caps for Wales while at Workington Town 1977 1(2?)-caps + 1-cap (sub)
  • George 'Happy' Wilson caps won for South of Scotland (RU) while at Kelso RFC 1947, 3-caps won for Other Nationalities while at Workington, 3-caps won for Great Britain RL while at Workington 1951 New Zealand (3 matches) (signed for Workington [date?])

Other notable former players

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These players have either; played in a Challenge Cup, or Rugby Football League Championship final, received a Testimonial match, are "Hall of Fame" inductees, played during Workington Town's Super League I season, or were international representatives before, or after, their time at Workington Town, or are notable outside of rugby league.

Coaches

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Also see Category:Workington Town coaches.

Seasons

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Super League era

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Season League Play-offs Challenge Cup Other competitions Name Tries Name Points
Division P W D L F A Pts Pos Top try scorer Top point scorer
1996 Super League 22 2 1 19 325 1021 5 12th R4
1997 Division One 20 4 0 16 320 555 8 11th R4
1998 Division Two 20 3 2 15 293 558 8 7th R4
1999 Northern Ford Premiership 28 9 1 18 468 813 19 14th R4
2000 Northern Ford Premiership 28 11 1 16 502 776 23 12th R4
2001 Northern Ford Premiership 28 16 0 12 681 568 32 9th R4
2002 Northern Ford Premiership 27 13 0 14 677 677 26 11th R5
2003 National League Two 18 4 1 13 393 558 9 8th R3
2004 National League Two 18 10 0 8 597 479 20 5th R4
2005 National League Two 18 12 1 5 487 426 25 3rd Lost in Preliminary Final R4
2006 National League Two 22 10 0 12 558 645 20 8th R3
2007 National League Two 22 12 0 10 655 515 43 5th R4
2008 National League Two 22 6 0 16 512 628 28 8th R4
2009 Championship 1 18 2 0 16 281 700 11 9th R3
2010 Championship 1 20 8 1 11 494 498 33 7th Lost in Elimination Playoffs R3
2011 Championship 1 20 11 1 8 659 443 41 3rd ? R3
2012 Championship 1 18 12 0 5 617 330 43 3rd Lost in Preliminary Final R3
2013 Championship 26 11 0 15 483 681 39 8th Lost in Elimination Playoffs R5
2014 Championship 26 12 1 13 467 524 48 7th ? R4
2015 Championship 23 7 1 15 379 671 15 8th Lost in Shield Semi Final R4
Championship Shield 30 11 1 18 587 782 23 4th
2016 Championship 23 5 1 17 455 756 11 11th R4
Championship Shield 30 7 1 22 541 919 15 8th
2017 League 1 22 9 1 12 532 621 19 8th R3
2018 League 1 26 17 0 9 833 517 34 4th Lost in Promotion and Playoff Finals R4
2019 League 1 20 10 1 9 592 478 21 5th Lost in Semi Final R5 1895 Cup R2
2020 League 1 League abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic R5
2021 League 1 15 10 1 4 471 310 21 2nd Won in Promotion Final Did not participate
2022 Championship 27 1 0 26 296 1139 2 14th R5
2023 League 1 18 11 0 7 516 385 22 5th Lost in Elimination Playoffs R5
2024 League One 20 9 0 11 504 549 18 6th Lost in Elimination Playoffs R3 1895 Cup GS

Honours

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References

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  1. ^ "Welcome home - Jonty Gorley named new Town head coach". Workington Town. 26 September 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  2. ^ "Whitehaven News | Workington Town's new strip revealed". www.whitehaven-news.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  3. ^ "PETER WALSH QUITS AS WORKINGTON TOWN COACH". The Independent. 12 July 1995. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  4. ^ Morgan, Martin (15 May 2008). "Caned Until I Bleed for Love of Rugby League". Whitehaven News: The Morgan Files. Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  5. ^ "Coach Dave Rotheram leaves Workington Town". Cumbria Life. 17 July 2009. Retrieved 15 March 2010.
  6. ^ "Players out on their feet after Workington Town beat Keighley Helen Thompson". Cumbrian News and Star. 18 September 2011. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  7. ^ "Workington make it three Cumbrian sides in the Championship for 2022". 10 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  8. ^ "Workington Town v Newcastle Thunder". www.bbc.co.uk.
  9. ^ "Dewsbury Rams suffer relegation from the Championship". www.loverugbyleague.com. 29 August 2022.
  10. ^ a b c d e f "Account Suspended". Rugbyleague.org. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  11. ^ a b c d "Workington Town R.L.F.C - Legends Evening 90's". 22 February 2012. Archived from the original on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  12. ^ a b c "Workington Town R.L.F.C - Legends Evening 80's". 22 February 2012. Archived from the original on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  13. ^ a b "TotalRL.com - on This Day". totalrl.com. Archived from the original on 14 January 2010. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  14. ^ "TotalRL.com for Rugby League". 14 February 2012. Archived from the original on 14 February 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  15. ^ "News & Star | Teenage prodigy Syd lives boyhood dream". www.newsandstar.co.uk. Archived from the original on 13 February 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  16. ^ a b "Workington Town R.L.F.C - Legends Evening 70's". 22 February 2012. Archived from the original on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  17. ^ "HALL OF FAME - WEEK 2 - PROLIFIC CENTRE JOHN O'NEILL". Townrlfc.com. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  18. ^ [1] [dead link‍]
  19. ^ "HALL OF FAME WEEK 11 - CLASSY CENTRE IAN WRIGHT!". Townrlfc.com. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
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