Rejuvenated Maryport have a squad of 29 players itching to get going for the 2023 Cumberland Amateur Rugby League season.
Today they get their first test with a pre-season warm-up against Seaton Rangers who enjoyed a fine debut season last year in the National Conference Third Division.
Maryport are now under the leadership of of a new coaching team headed up by former captain Mark Foster, who has been joined by another ex-Maryport player in Simon Pattinson and former Workington Town professional Brett Smith.
Pattinson said: “We are really excited to see how they squad go in a first run-out after a great build-up.
“Everyone is pleased with how it’s been going in training and we feel it is a good mix of youth and experience, with 17 of the players products of the club’s youth policy.
“We have even got a young player who had never tried rugby league before and he’s looked really good in training.
“Craig Foster and Gary Taylor have rejoined the club from Seaton while we have a number of promising players who are stepping-up from our Under-16’s squad from last season.”
Seaton, who are embarking on their second season in the National Conference, have lost a number of players and are replacing them with members of the club’s youth section.
Chairman Peter Gilmour said: “Craig and Gary have gone back to Maryport because family commitments meant they couldn’t make themselves available each week for National Conference League rugby.
“Gary was our top try scorer in the Third Division last year and we wish them both all the best with thanks for their efforts last season.
“In addition four of our players have joined Workington Town in the pro ranks – Cieran Walker, JJ Key, Grant Reid and Tom Curwen – and they have gone with our best wishes.
“Last season we brought on a number of younger players and we will be looking to them to kick-on from that while we also blood more of our youngsters.”
The game at Maryport Athletic Ground kicks off at 2pm.
