One of the most recognised Workington Reds fans is Steve Durham, a club stalwart since the 1960s.
I thought it was time to catch up with Steve for some insight into his long devotion to the Borough Park club.
Steve, can you tell us about early interest in football and how it all started following the Reds?
The Workington interest started in 1963 and I had wanted to go for a month or so before finally getting invited to a match with a school mate neighbour and his dad in October of the promotion season – what a time to start.
My first game was against Torquay United, Reds won 2-1 thanks to a couple of Bill Hopper goals. I was hooked and have followed the club ever since.
Playing football started about the same time (I was nine at the time) and my first team would probably be Bransty Junior School, Whitehaven.
I can’t recall you missing many Reds games over the years. Have there been any and how did they come about – illness, holidays?
I was once told by an uncle that I must support the team in good times and bad and those few words stuck with me. I don’t like missing games but it was impossible to get to some when you were young/still at school/early days at work etc. From the age of 14 I was attending most home games and travelling away regularly.
Into the non-league era and it became habitual – home and away. I’ve missed 10 games in that time with work, holidays and weddings (three or four) the reasons.
You must keep great records because you can go back years with the Reds. Are there any matches in the club’s history that you still need more information about?
I started to keep records in the early 70s but gained access to the late Stan Jackson’s unique books on Workington’s history. Records of the original WAFC are not complete, the North Eastern League era is almost complete, Football League information is excellent and the Non-League era is too. It is an important part of a football club but not many fans seem too interested on the statistical side of things.
I get asked by many former players for their appearances, facts and figures and it is satisfying if I’m able to help. Also try and solve queries from supporters and grandchildren of ex-players etc.
I just hope there are people out there who fancy compiling their own records. I have a diary and keep a record of first team and reserve matches with a brief summary of each match – boring, I suppose, but essential.
As well as Reds, of course, you are a great football lover. Tell us about a week where you fitted in a number of games at different levels and how you managed it?
The priority is to watch all first team games, then as many reserve team and Reds Ladies fixtures as possible. When the reserves were playing in the Lancashire League I hardly missed a game for five seasons but, now that they play on Saturdays, I have only seen a handful of games this term.
Apart from that, I watch football all over the place and often attend several games a week. I once did eight games in seven days and have done 7/7 a few times. Record for one day is three games.
As you know, I have followed England home and abroad in the past and West Ham are my other passion.
On one occasion, I watched Reds and England play on the same day (they both drew) and another time I saw Reds and West Ham back-to-back (Workington lost, Hammers won).
Groundhopping is another pastime and now approaching 750 different grounds including nine new ones this season.
As well as being a keen supporter you have also seen the other side by being a club director. How tough a job is it at our level to keep heads above water?
It was an honour to serve the club as a director for two different spells but you inherit all the problems the average supporter never hears of. The first spell was really tough (late 80s and early 90s) and stressful, especially the times when we could not compete and had just over a hundred spectators turning out for home games.
The ground and pitch were in poor condition and a far cry from today. We have experienced some great times in the last two decades and Borough Park is looking better now than it has for years
You started watching in the Football League days. Which players and managers did you appreciate most back then?
Started when Ken Furphy was manager so couldn’t get better than that. I liked Brian Doyle when he was in charge and George Aitken was a safe ‘pair of hands’ too. Others struggled when the club was at a low ebb.
My first heroes were probably Bobby Brown, Jimmy Moran and Kit Napier followed by Mike Rogan, Dave Butler, Jimmy Goodfellow, John Ogilvie, Peter Foley, Ian McDonald, John Burridge and Brian Wood etc. I regard every Reds player as the brother I never had – so quite a large family.
Same for non-league. Since 1977 who are the players and managers who have stood out for you?
Probably got to know the more recent ones best but Martin Harris, Wayne Harrison, Mick Taylor, Les O’Neill, Joe Wojciechowicz and Colin Meldrum all had a variety of managerial talents whilst it was great to work with and alongside the likes of Peter Hampton, Tommy Cassidy, Darren Edmondson, Gavin Skelton, Derek Townsley, David Hewson, Lee Andrews and current boss, Danny Grainger.
Player wise, there have been dozens of favourites – some wonderful, talented players and characters, many of whom are now good friends. I have a new hero every match and this week it is another great servant to the club, Conor Tinnion.
As a fan what are your thoughts on the proposed new stadium and what would it mean to the Reds?
The stadium is loved by many but change has got to happen and the sooner the better. Facilities in the main building (old stand) have been well past their sell-by date for decades and we need a new facility (seated accommodation, dressing rooms for male and female officials and teams, office space, press and media facilities, function and sponsor lounges, a players’ lounge, washing facilities and a museum for starters) to take the club forward. A new build would solve a lot of problems but, at the very least, a thorough revamp of the west side is a necessity.
It would guarantee a better future for the club and become a very important asset to the community.
Of course you are a Reds fan who has actually played first team football for the club. Tell me about the games you played and how you felt about it?
My Reds dream failed as a 15-year-old after a few training sessions with the reserves, a case of thanks but no thanks! Then in the dark days of the early 90s I was often named as a substitute, nine times in fact, simply to make up the numbers. It was usually for the long distance fixtures when we couldn’t get players to travel – the matches in Wales or Derbyshire I recall!
But in February, 1992, I actually got on to the pitch (replacing the injured Graham Caton) and had my 40 minutes of fame playing most of the second half at Harrogate Town, should have scored too!
We won 2-0 (at a time when we didn’t win many) and I was elated.
Where do you think Reds have the potential to reach – Football League, National League, National North or the next step up NPL Premier?
We came ever so close to achieving National League status during our nine seasons at Step 2 so I would like to think that is feasible. But getting out of this division is proving difficult so I would settle for NPL Premier at the moment.
So many players in this squad (and the manager) deserve a title on their CV, I hope they achieve it in three month’s time.
