The whistle has blown for the final time for Workington Reds Ladies as they end 12 years and become Workington Town Women after end of season celebrations.
A strong second half to the season saw the Ladies finish their league campaign with an impressive run of eight games unbeaten, conceding only three goals and keeping six clean sheets.
They finished fifth in the league with 35 points, which was only one point less than their highest ever tally during the 2021/22 season.
With much to celebrate from their achievements over the season and with a bright new future ahead, the Ladies had gathered in buoyant spirit and with an appreciation for the merits shown by the winners of each award.
The awards were presented by special guests Rio and Steffi Hardy, the twin sisters from Workington who are currently playing for Glasgow Rangers Women FC and Apollon Limassol Ladies FC in Cyprus respectively.
Rio was top scorer for Rangers this season with 34 goals and Steffi made her international debut when she faced Belarus for the National Cypriot team in the European Championship qualifying rounds.
The ‘Young player of the Year’ award, which was selected by the coaching team, went to a worthy winner in Rowan Williams who is 17.
Rowan’s development on and off the field of play over the season is clear for all to see.
She’s shown great patience in the earlier stages of the season and has grabbed the opportunity to impress with both hands when presented with one, culminating in a starting place in the County Cup at the end of the season.
The Top Goal scorer was, like Rowan, playing in her debut season for the club and Bea Barber scored 19 times throughout the campaign, ranging from clinical finishes from close range, to exceptional strikes from distance.
Captain Naomi Foster, was awarded the Manager’s Player of the Year award having delivered another outstanding season.
Naomi has given 100% commitment to the club and to the players she plays alongside in every game she has figured in.
She sets the perfect example for others to follow and depicts the attributes that are essential to the club reaching its goals.
Bea Barber collected her second award as she was also voted as the Players’ Player of the Year by her team mates.
The impact that she has made in her first season with the club has been immense, and this had rightfully been recognised by those that have played alongside her over the season.
The final award of the night was the Player of the Season award, which was won by Hayley Bracken.
Hayley had returned to action at the start of the season, having been on the sidelines for 12 months whilst she recovered from an ACL injury.
Collecting the award was more than fair reward for the manner in which she had recovered from her surgery and returned to the form she had shown prior to sustaining her injury.
Special mentions were given to all those that work behind the scenes at the club, particularly for the efforts off the field, during what has been a demanding season and the resulting excitement in the direction the club is taking.
