West Cumbria’s worst-kept secret is out with the official news that Jonty Gorley was taking over as coach with Workington Town.
The former Town fan, player, academy coach and assistant coach is going back to Town after six years with Whitehaven.
He worked under Gary Charlton at the Recreation Ground for three years before taking on the role as head coach himself.
He resigned in August, although he had earlier told the club that he would be leaving at the end of the season.
Gorley, 53, has agreed a two-year deal at the Fibrus Community Stadium and will head a new backroom staff.
Two legendary Town goal-kickers will be joining forces to back-up the new head coach – Dean Marwood and retiring half back Carl Forber will form a two man assistant coaching team.
They will be backed up by the returning Paul Halcrow who will head up video analysis and Paul Slone who will continue in his first team preparation, logistics and support role. Veteran Jimmy Woolaghan will also continue in his support role at the club.
Strength and conditioning coach continues to be Mathew Johnson while the new club physio is Courtney Stephenson who joins from Whitehaven.
Town interim chairman Graeme Peers added: “After our season review we have made the decision to take a new lead coaching approach at the club.
“On behalf of the Workington Town board of directors I’d like to place on record our thanks and appreciation for the efforts of our lead coaching team Anthony Murray and Neil Frazer over the last two seasons.
“Gus has been a member of both the playing and then coaching staff for many years and we thank him for his service on and off the pitch.
“We look to move on from a disappointing season and get back on track to deliver on our 2027 pledge.”
Gorley made 15 starts for Town between 1993 and 1997, and also appeared 12 times as a substitute, contributing five tries to the cause.
He returned to playing and coaching his amateur club Ellenborough but returned to Derwent Park to look after an Academy side before working as assistant coach under Phil Veivers.
