It’s been an extremely busy closed season for Workington Town Women FC as they prepare for life under their new name and association with Workington Town.
Heading the list of priorities was selecting their new playing strip range, which was designed by Martha, a young local footballer.
In addition to this and of equal importance, was ensuring their ambitious plans to launch a reserve team remained on track and the excitement of joining forces with local junior girls football club, formerly known as Allerdale Girls.
With all this progressing nicely and with pre-season training underway, it’s now time to focus on what’s happening on the field of play and in particular, who will be representing the Town Women in the new season.
With Megan Yarnold and Megan Hay declaring their intentions to bring down the curtain on their playing careers and Alice Kemp and Liv Bennett leaving to further their educational studies outside of the county, efforts had to been made to find suitable replacements.
That has started with the signing of Keeley Chatters and Rachel Gallagher to ply their trade from the Fibrus Community Stadium next season.
Keeley has been on the club’s radar for a while with an unsuccessful attempt to lure her to the club was made at the start of last season.
She is extremely comfortable on the ball and offers great versatility with her ability to cover various positions in the team. She has been a loyal servant to local football team, Workington Diamonds FC both as a junior player and over the last three years in their summer league team.
Keeley possesses great control on the ball and carries with elusive purpose. She is equally comfortable leading the line as a forward and scoring some sensational goals, or digging deep in the back line with her no nonsense defensive duties.
When asked about why now is the right time to join the club, Keeley said: “The club has gone through a lot of changes over recent years and there is a lot of excitement building about the direction it’s moving in. I know a lot of the players as I already play with some of them at Diamonds in the summer league. I want to test myself at the highest level I can without leaving the area and this gives me the perfect opportunity to do this.”
Rachel Gallagher has returned to West Cumbria having spent time away from the area at university in Leeds. As a junior footballer she played at Cockermouth in a boys team before joining the Cumbria Centre of Excellence and finally spending time with Allerdale Girls.
She currently plays for Xtreme Fitness Ladies FC in the summer league and has proven to be deadly in front of goal this season, continuously testing the defensive resolve of opposing defenders with her lightening pace and clinical control of the ball.
On Rachel’s decision to join the club, the attacker said: “I’m really looking forward to testing myself at this level and being able to positively contribute to the team’s performances. Having been away at Leeds for the past few years, I am looking forward to settling back in the area and playing a sport I love is a big part of my plans going forward.”
On the recent signings, manager Paul Mackenzie said: “These are two very important signings for the club as we build towards the future. They are both naturally talented footballers with cracking personalities and their inclusion with the team will bring benefits both on and off the field.
“We have had a couple of other talented local young players training with us this week and my hope is that they like what they have seen and follow Keeley and Rachel’s lead in agreeing to join us permanently.”
“In addition to that, there has been some early informal discussions with a player that would bring a wealth of experience with her and has a desire to push the game on as far as she can.
“Although nothing has been decided at this point, that fact that there is interest there is testimony to the good work that the club has been doing and the way it is being perceived by those on the outside looking in.
“These are very exciting times for us and women’s football in our community.”
