Workington Reds Ladies have a new home.
They will be playing their home games at Derwent Park this season thanks to the support of Workington Town RLFC.
Town have stepped in to solve a long-standing problem for the Ladies team as sourcing and securing a regular venue to play their home game has proved difficult over the past seasons.
Ladies manager Paul Mackenzie said: “I think it’s an accepted fact that there isn’t enough facilities locally to cater for the football demands in our area, hence the plans that Allerdale, Workington Reds and Workington Town are working on together.
“With the growth in participation of ladies and girls football, it’s more than likely that this demand will increase in the years ahead and add to this situation, so the work that is being done to secure facilities locally are vital to the community.
“We have struggled In the past to find a venue to play our home games as there are certain demands on where we can play in order to meet the criteria assigned to participation at the level we play at.
“Things like provisions for changing facilities for both teams as well as officials mean that we have only a limited amount of facilities available.
“We have had the use of Borough Park when it’s been available but with quick turnarounds between the men’s and our fixtures, and the inclement West Cumbrian weather during the winter months, it has often resulted in the pitch not being available to us.”
The Ladies approached Allerdale council for help and they suggested that they contacted Workington Town.
Mackenzie added: “Being honest I personally wasn’t expecting the response that we received from Town and the manner it was delivered. We’ve been blown away.
“We made initial contact with chairman John Pleasants and he quickly put our request to the Town board and in turn asked Gary Murdock to liaise with us and explore a way forward between both clubs.
“Gary’s enthusiasm towards the venture was amazing and indicative of all further contact we have had with Town and their personnel in that they have welcomed us with open arms and a warm heart.”
Town director Graeme Peers said: “When we relaid the pitch a couple of seasons ago it was reinstated to FA standard. Reds Ladies were looking for a permanent base for the upcoming season after playing games at various locations over the last few seasons.
“Town are looking to maximize stadium usage and generate revenues so it was a good fit for both clubs.”
The ladies will have full use of all Town’s facilities, as well as the pitch to play on which hopefully will increase support and participation levels.
Both clubs are looking forward to working together to make this partnership a great success.
Representatives from the Ladies team were invited to Derwent Park for a look around the facilities,
Ladies captain, Naomi Foster said “Town have been fantastic in their show of support to us and the welcome that they have given us and we can’t thank them enough for what they are doing for us as a club and in turn ladies football in the area.
“We have been hoping to find a place where we can establish a home for some time now, to secure a facility and playing surface as impressive as Derwent Park is more than we could have dreamt of.
“They seem really switched on to the injection of interest in ladies football that has came from the amazing achievements of the Euros this summer and the success of the Lionesses and we see their support for us as an indication that attitudes are changing locally.
“We know Town have a solid fan base with loyal supporters and we are hoping that we could convince them to come along to our games too as admission is free to our games although any donation would be welcome.
“Coming down to support us purchasing refreshments on sale at matchdays will also help Town out too.”
Mackenzie noted: “There’s an obvious disappointment from officials and the volunteers at Workington Reds AFC, as they would like to have seen the Ladies use Borough Park as our home venue but this has proven logistically not to be possible.
“The Reds have a small group of volunteers that work hard to keep the playing surface in as good a condition as possible, but their fight against the elements is relentless and potentially playing two or three games over two or three days is impossible if you want to have pitch at the standard required to play good football on.
“We have received a warm welcome from the volunteers at Borough Park and having talked with them I know how much it meant to them seeing the Ladies playing there. But as a club we have to make the right calls at the right time and the move to Derwent Park is massive for us going forward.
“On behalf of the Ladies I would like to thank them for the support and time that they have given to us over the years and we hope that they will continue to follow us across the road at Derwent Park.
“The Reds board are also backing us in our new venture and we would also like to thank them for helping us making this new arrangement possible”.
Richard Lewthwaite, Reds vice chairman said: “Our Ladies team are a massively important part of the club. As a board we are delighted to be able to support them in the work they have done to establish a base at Derwent Park for the coming season.
“This agreement is mutually beneficial to Reds, Reds Ladies and Town as we work towards a new community stadium and further strengthens the links between the two parent clubs.
“We’d like to wish Paul and the Ladies the best of luck this season and we hope all Reds fans will find some time to attend their games. “
The Ladies will have to wait until after September 4 to start playing at Derwent Park as Town play their last home game against Whitehaven RLFC on that day.
Funding for new goal posts has been sought through the Football Foundation contributing 75 per cent and the 25 per cent shortfall being made up thanks to the generosity of Maryport firm West Port.
Managing director Sean Parnaby has for a long time shown his support for the Ladies with their repeated sponsorship of goalkeeper Laura Miller who is employed by the company.
When approached about the additional sponsorship Sean was only too happy to help out and the club would like to thank West Port for all they do in supporting the club.
Reds Ladies have an upcoming League fixture on September 4 against Accrington Stanley Ladies FC and an FA Cup tie against Washington Women’s FC on September 11, both games are scheduled to be played at Borough Park.
Afterwards, future fixture releases will announce the first game at Derwent Park.
