Seaton Rangers are on the brink of making history with the National Conference League.
The league’s management committee have recommended to member clubs that Seaton should be accepted into Division Three. If the clubs give the thumbs up as expected Seaton will be the first rugby league club from Allerdale to be admitted to the NCL.
Seaton secretary Peter Gilmour said: “If we are accepted we would consider it a great honour to be the first from Allerdale.
“We have had some great sides over the years, and so too have the likes of Ellenborough, Maryport and Glasson, so it is perhaps surprising that the area hasn’t been represented before.”
Representatives from the management committee visited the Seaton club last month to inspect facilities and check on financial stability and the extent of their youth policy. They passed with flying colours.
Initially, six clubs applied to join the Third Division and eventually Seaton and Bentley from Doncaster were chosen to go forward as candidates for the vacancies. Gilmour said: “We run youth teams right through the age groups from six to the open age. The only one missing next season will be under 16s.
“We will have a senior pool of around 35 players of whom 90 per cent are 24 years old and under.
“Last season we ran two teams in the Cumberland ARL and we will be running our A team in there next season.
“These are exciting times for the club and if successful with the club vote it is going to be a new challenge we are all looking forward to.”
Seaton have already appointed a new coach for 2022 in Ryan Campbell who was assistant to long-serving coach Matty Tunstall who stood down through added work commitments. Campbell played professionally for Workington and Whitehaven before a serious leg injury ended his career prematurely.
