Workington Reds Ladies FC have asked the Cumberland FA to change their name from the start of next season to Workington Town Women FC.
The team, although they have been playing at the Fibrus Community Stadium, home of Workington Town rugby league club for 18 months, they have retained their Reds identity.
But now they say this will be the first step for the club gaining the required support in their application to operate under a new identity, starting from the 2024/25 season.
Acceptance of the change by the CFA will be proceeded by seeking formal agreement with the North West Women’s Regional League Committee, before being considered by the FA.
Along with the change in name, the club also plan to change their playing colours to white and blue, and will play under the umbrella of Workington Town RLFC carrying their badge.
For Workington Reds, this is clearly a disappointing decision, but a reflection on the way they appear to have drifted apart from their duties towards the senior women’s game at the club.
It has prompted a new pledge from the football club to reset their commitment to ladies, and girls football and they are launching a five-year plan which includes the appointment of a ladies development officer and head coach.
Reds intend to have their own ladies side up and running for the 2024-25 season along with the various age group feeders for the girls.
In a statement, the current Reds Ladies club said: “The change has emanated from the close working relationship that has been forged between the two clubs over the last 18 month since Workington Town offered the services of, not only the Fibrus Community Stadium, but their additional support in developing the organisation from a commercial and marketing perspective.
“Over this time, attendance at the ladies games has grown, as has the engagement between the ladies and junior footballers in the area.
“Thanks in large part to the regular and guaranteed use of the Fibrus stadium facilities, ensuring curtain raiser games for local youth teams in our community have become more common than not, and provided the Ladies team a place to call and feel at home.
“This has allowed us to establish meaningful longer term connections between the ladies current players and those that will have aspirations to follow in their footsteps for many years to come.
“The supportive and forward thinking nature of the relationship with Workington Town RLFC and our other new community partners has already improved the financial position of the Women’s Football Club, which has operated as a financially independent organisation since its inception in 2012.
“The operational success gained over the last 18 months, is in contrast to the earlier years of existence for the ladies.
“Although geography and difficult financial decisions still hold the development of football in our area to ransom, the growth of interest and participation in the women’s game nationally and regionally over recent years, gives great hope for the future.”
A spokesman from Workington Reds Ladies added: “This is a fantastic opportunity and one that we must follow if we want to build for future success and growth of the game that we are all extremely passionate about.
“We appreciate that the move may well divide opinion, change often does, but as an organisation we are fully behind the rebranding and are really excited about moving forward under the support and guidance of an organisation that wants to see all sports in the community prospering, be that male or female participants.
“Working under the umbrella of Workington Town will allow us to remain independent in all aspects of how we operate on a day to day basis, however the association and bond with Workington Town offers great support and guidance which we all fully appreciate.”
Workington Reds also issued a statement expressing their disappointment at the ladies’ decision to switch allegiance across the road.
Reds said in outlining their new five-year plan: “There will be significant hurdles to overcome and financial investment needed in order for us to achieve our goals, but the directors understand the need for change and to review the club structure.
“Notably a brand new ladies team will be created fully under the umbrella of the parent club. Finance, administration and welfare will be handled in house and a dedicated team is already in house to do this.
“With that in mind we will be looking to appoint and new ladies development officer/head coach as soon as possible. The right candidate will co-ordinate the development of our pathway with the initial emphasis on the transition from youth to adult football whilst maintaining participation.
”It is intended that the ladies and girls will also have for the first time a direct representative on the board of directors.”
Reds already have a growing, and successful ascademy set-up for young girls and from the start of next season the club’s Under-14s and Under-16s will be playing in the North West Girls Super League playing weekly games against quality opposition throughout the region.
The club says this is a huge step forward, providing the opportunity for young female players in Cumbria to play at a higher level every week and something which it is immensely proud of.
