If it was a theatrical farewell for retiring actors or actresses, there wouldn’t be a dry eye in the house! writes John Walsh.
But even for the battle-hardened, long-time fans on the Borough Park terraces I suspect there will be more than a tear shed at Saturday’s final game of the season.
I reckon this is unprecedented at Workington when three outstanding servants, highly respected players through ability and loyalty, say their farewells at the same time after the Guiseley game.
In Conor Tinnion, Scott Allison and Sam Smith – who have all announced their retirement at the same time – Workington are not just losing good, loyal players they are saying goodbye to three great people.
As a Reds fan of 70 years, and a sports writer for 60 of those, it has been a privilege to chronicle the exploits of these three outstanding footballers whose performances will long be remembered by those fortunate to have been witnesses to their ability.
Conor has been an outstanding member of the squad, leading from the front as captain and a fine role model for the younger players alongside.
Whether it was a swivel of the hips to send an opponent the wrong way, a precise dead-ball finish from where we came to regard as ‘Tinnion territory’ or his endless appetite for work he left his mark on countless games.
Even when things weren’t going right for the team he could still be immense. The recent game against Atherton Collieries, when the team was awful, saw Tinners producing a masterclass.
Covering every blade of grass is a phrase that can sometimes under-play what is achieved in all those areas of the ground. But he did that and was simply the best player on the pitch by a country mile – and this with a body aching for a rest ahead of his impending retirement.
The Ginger Messi, the Brough Poacher Scott Allison will long be regarded as one of the finest goal-scorers in Reds history.
His record of 156 goals puts him second in the all-time list of Workington marksmen, and but for recurring injury absences goodness knows how high he could have got. Bill Charlton was in the 190s so Scotty will have to go some on Saturday!
I recall one of the first goals he scored for Reds. Put through the keeper was coming out and going down to block any shot when Scotty just dinked it over him into the net.
At the time I thought “he will do for me” and he’s certainly done for the club admirably ever since.
Like Conor, and Goose who departed earlier in the season, his later years have been handicapped by old knocks and ailments. But he has continued to go out and give it his best shot – showing he was still capable of knocking in the goals.
In fact, just as Conor turned the clock back against Atherton recently, Scott did the same in an awesome display on Tuesday in the Fred Conway County Cup, and scoring the winning goal.
As well as that first goal he scored for Reds I remember, in particular, a wonderful solo goal at Blyth Spartans in a play-off win when he grabbed a hat-trick; another unique hat-trick of penalties in the FA Cup and a superb FA Trophy winner against Hartlepool.
Scott has been an integral part of the Reds squad for so long now, with his goals and commitment, he has been yet another refreshingly loyal servant who goes into his retirement with our thanks and enjoyment at watching him in a red shirt.
Joining them in saying farewell on Saturday is Sam Smith, although perhaps he might lace up his boots again at a lower level which doesn’t have the demands of NPL football.
Sam has been an outstanding defender for the Reds, a local Workington lad who has considered it an honour to wear the shirt – and it showed.
Unruffled, stylish, determined and reliable Sam was tipped by several people in his early days that he was a Reds captain in waiting.
That certainly happened but there was always that quiet authority about his game whether he wore the armband or he didn’t.
Over the 11 years he has been a first team player Sam has suffered a series of injuries, particularly in the last few seasons when his appearance stats were lower than they would have been.
Along with Conor and Scotty, Sam has been the bedrock of the side, and if you throw in Dan Wordsworth who retired earlier in the season, you have four players there who any team in the League would have taken.
Workington have been fortunate to have had four wonderful servants, all playing together, and like all supporters I appreciate their efforts over the years for the club; feel privileged to have watched four loyal and talented players, and thank them for their time as Reds stalwarts.
