Workington Town and Whitehaven have agreed the date for the annual pre-season fixture.
The Ike Southward Memorial Trophy will be up for grabs again, this time at Workington’s Fibrus Community Stadium on Sunday, January 21 (ko 3pm).
The fixture has been held annually since 2006, apart from a one-year hiatus in 2021 due to Covid-19, and has become a major part of both club’s pre-season preparations.
The fixture remembers Cumbrian rugby league legend Ike Southward following his death in June 2006.
Ike played the majority of his career at Workington Town between 1953-1968 either side of a spell at Oldham between 1959-1961.
The flying winger also represented Cumberland as well as Great Britain during his illustrious career.
Southward also went on to have coaching spells with both clubs at the end of his illustrious playing career
Whitehaven are the current holders of the trophy following a 22-6 victory over Town in the 2023 meeting at the then LEL Arena with tries coming from Karl Dixon, Curtis Teare, Alex Bishop and Lachlan Lanskey.
Haven head coach Jonty Gorley, a former Town player and assistant coach, is a family friend of the Southwards and holds a special place for this particular derby meeting between the two clubs.
He said: “It’s an important game for both clubs. I knew Ike personally and take it seriously every year and it’s going to be an integral part of our pre-season preparations.
“It’s important that we keep the Cup going and play it every year, as for us it’s not just another friendly it’s a serious fixture.”
