Workington Reds will be without a fixture again on Saturday, November 13 because of Bootle’s progress in the FA Trophy competition.
Reds should have entertained the Merseysiders but Bootle will be at home to Stalybridge Celtic in the first round proper of the Trophy.
The West Cumbrians were left without a fixture on Saturday because of their loss to Dunston in the Trophy, and they might now suffer the same fate on November 13.
Secretary Alec Graham is trying to arrange a game, by bringing one forward and preferably at home, but he said: “The window of opportunity is very small.”
At the moment Reds do have a home game on Tuesday, November 9 but that is likely to involve the Development squad as well for it’s a County Cup tie. Maryport Athletic have agreed to forfeit home advantage and play under lights at Borough Park.
In the first round last month Reds scored three times in the last four minutes of extra-time to beat Whitehaven Amateurs 5-4 and used a good mix of development and first team.
Reds travel to Mossley on Saturday and a fortnight later travel to Colne, so two massive League games in prospect.
Last Saturday’s blank afternoon had meant an extra training session but when the Development side had their game in the County League postponed, a bounce game at Penrith on the all-weather was quickly set up.
The youngsters shaped pretty well, eventually beaten 4-2 with five senior players unavailable for the game.
News of two former Reds goalkeepers, who have reason to thank the club for propelling their careers forward.
John Burridge was back at Borough Park for a nostalgic look-round. He will be 70 in December and holds the record as the oldest player to turn-out in the Premier League at 43 years, four months and 26 days.
Manchester City were the 20th senior club he was associated with in a career that started at Workington in 1969 and ended in 1996 at Queen of the South.
Throw in a handful of non-League clubs and ‘Budgie’ turned-out in 768 games – over 100 for Blackpool and Sheffield United, and over 50 for Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Wolves, Southampton, Newcastle and Hibs.
During his short stay at Borough Park he entertained a captive audience of club officials and volunteers with a quick resume of his career, and particularly his start at Workington when he had particular praise for Bobby Brown and Brian Doyle.
The other keeper in the news is Adam Collin who played 212 times for Carlisle but it was his 211 games for the Reds between 2004 and 2009 which really invigorated his career after being released by Newcastle.
He has been attached to Basford in NPL Premier, playing and working with their youngsters, but has now landed a job with League Two Mansfield Town where he will be head of Academy goalkeeping.
As well as the two Cumbrian clubs, Collin, now aged 36, who hails from Great Salkeld, played for Rotherham (71) and Notts County (73).
It was while playing for County that he set up his own Academy which has been thriving.
