Sam Smith, Workington Reds’ Player of the Year, has signed on with the club again.
Smith, a key figure in a Reds defence which kept an impressive number of clean sheets last season, has also been handed the vice-captain’s role.
It means that with Steven Rigg also announced as staying at Borough Park and Robbie Hebson returning after a long spell out through injury, manager Danny Grainger has almost covered all the players who were at the club last season.
Liam Lightfoot, another player that Grainger knew well from his time at Carlisle United has also re-signed.
Five players – Brad Carroll, Brad Hubbold, Kyle Harrison, Nico Evangelinos and Scott Fenwick – have all left the club.
Which just leaves forward Ruben Jerome and back-up keeper Danny Eccles from last season’s squad unaccounted for.
Cumbria Crack understands that Grainger is in talks with Jerome about a deal to stay, having originally signed him ahead of the drastically reduced 2020/21 season.
Talking about his return to Borough Park and his elevation to vice captain, taking over from the departed Carroll, Smith said: “I’m buzzing to sign up again for this great club and once again try and finish what we have set out to achieve over the last few years and get us climbing back up to where we should be.
“I’m proud to be asked to be vice-captain for my hometown club and help lead a great set of lads forward under strong management. I can’t wait to get started again.”
Grainger added: “Sam has been a huge player for the club over the last few years and I’m sure he will be again this campaign and I’m over the moon to have him committed to another season with us.
“He is a massive part of the squad, on and off the pitch and his leadership qualities are exactly what we need.
“He has high standards and is committed to the club moving forward on and off the pitch.”
