One of Workington Reds’ earliest tests in the NPL Premier Division will be at Ilkeston Town on the second Saturday of the new season.
They will face an Ilkeston side with a new manager in place as this week the club announced that Gary Hayward had been appointed as their new manager.
Former Buxton boss Hayward takes over the reins from player-coach Jamie Ward, who left the club by mutual consent following last Friday’s 5-2 friendly defeat to Derby County.
During his time at Buxton, Hayward oversaw a 20-game unbeaten run and steered the club to third in the Northern Premier League table.
However, he was sacked just days before their huge FA Cup first round with York City in November 2021.
The departure of Hayward, alongside assistant Mark Ward, came as a surprise to many onlookers, but he will have another chance to impress in the Northern Premier League with the Division’s new boys following their lateral movement from the Southern League.
The Robins begin their 2023/24 campaign with a trip to Marske United on Saturday August 12 while Reds start at home to Ashton United, before travelling to Morpeth for the first away/mid-week game on Tuesday, August 15.
.
