Big reveal as 11 new faces join Jonty Gorley at Workington Town so far

Fan favourite Zarrin Galea is back for 2025 (Ben Challis)

Workington Town revealed their 2025 squad tonight with 11 new faces and others to be added over the next few weeks.

Nine of last season’s League One squad are also back on board and returning coach Jonty Gorley will take his first training session with them tomorrow morning.

Back on board from last year are Zarrin Galea, Jonny Hutton, Ciaran Walker, Stevie Scholey, Jake Bradley, Jack Stephenson, Grant Reid, Dave Eccleston and Ellis Archer.

In a topsy-turvy close season, in which Town and Whitehaven have swapped coaches, there’s also been similar movement among players.

Five of Town’s 11 new signings were with Whitehaven last season and a similar number have gone the other way.

Jamie Doran rejoins Workington Town from Whitehaven (Ben Challis)

Moving from the Ortus Rec to the Fibrus Community Stadium are Rio Corkhill, Will Evans, Ross Ainley, Jamie Doran and Guy Graham.

Probably the biggest news for the fans was that Town have recruited two players who have been involved in a good standard of rugby league in Australia.

Outside back Levi Atiga has been signed from Western Clydesdales who are involved in the Queensland Cup.

He will be joined by his Western Clydesdales team-mate, second row forward Cooper Howlett who has also been involved in the Queensland Cup.

The Cumbrian weather was a novel experience for young Australian Cooper Howlett (Ben Challis)

Town have also been recruiting from the community game with two signed and a third with an agreed contract but who has not as yet been allocated a squad number.

Signed from Kells is half-back Dominic Wear, son of former Town half back Stephen. Dominic has just returned from Australia after a three-week tour with the winning England Community Lions.

Joining him is a former National Conference League opponent in the Wath Brow Hornets full-back Cole Walker-Taylor.

The third NCL player recruited is the Wath Brow prop Callum Farrer who was the Hornets players’ player of the year last season. His contract has been agreed but his squad number will be assigned later.

Caine Barnes was is a popular addition to Jonty Gorley’s squad, here with sponsors Dargavel Engineering (Ben Challis)

Fans will also be pleased to see that second-row forward Caine Barnes has rejoined the club after a spell out. He went back to his old community side Seaton Rangers but will be back at the Fibrus Community Stadium this season.

Outside back Brad Taylor will remain at the club as part of his recovery from a serious knee injury sustained last season.

Town are also in advanced discussions to bring three more Championship-experienced players to the club.

The club has also invited a number of community players to join on trial and try to earn a contract for 2025.

The squad and shirt numbers:

Zarrin Galea
Levi Atiga
Rio Corkhill
Will Evans
Jonny Hutton
Ciaran Walker
Dom Wear
Ross Ainley
Jamie Doran
Stevie Scholey
Cooper Howlett
Jake Bradley
Jack Stephenson
Deal agreed TBC
Cole Walker-Taylor
Guy Graham
Caine Barnes
Deal agreed TBC
Grant Reid
Dave Eccleston
To be assigned
Ellis Archer

Workington Town head coach Jonty Gorley addresses a packed house (Ben Challis)

Club sponsors for 2025

Main playing front of shirt sponsors: Fibrus Broadband
Main stadium sponsor: Fibrus Broadband – extended until November 2025
Main rear shirt sponsors: Lloyds Volkswagen, Lloyds Kia and the Decommissioning Alliance
Shirt sponsors: West Coast Thermal, Lattimers Homes, John Price Painters & Decorators, AA Electrical & Welcome to MKM, Lillyhall, Robinson & Co accountants
Main short sponsors: GT Tyres
Short sponsors: Walton Turf Services
Marquee, fanzone, grandstand and Popular Side: Northern Competitions