Workington Town Women have been busy strengthening their playing and coaching squads over the past few months.
They are looking to build on what was a very rewarding season last time out.
They have welcomed four players that have moved up from the local junior competition and a further 11 open aged players, 10 of whom have made the move from local neighbours Whitehaven AFC.
In comes Lilly Greig and Lola Marriott from Workington Town Girls, and they are joined by Kobie Metherell and Olivia Beattie from Workington Reds RiTC.
Returning to adult football after a spell away from the game is India Starkie.
She is joined by Niamh Morgan, Leila Branthwaite, Molly Blair, Ella Beardsmore, Ashleigh Mcallister, Eden Stainton, Grace Houghton, Kacey Currie, Jaya Pilkington and Millie Teare, all of whom make the short trip from Whitehaven AFC Ladies.
As well as players joining, there will also be a new face in the coaching set-up at the Fibrus Community Stadium for the first team, as ex-Whitehaven AFC Ladies first team manager Paul Morgan, also follows.
First team manager Paul Mackenzie said: “Some of the junior recruits had trained with us at the end of last season and they impressed us with their desire to develop themselves at the club and their ability was clearly demonstrated during the sessions.
“Just before preseason training started, we started getting enquiries from players from Whitehaven’s first team and it’s been clear that they all have desires to develop themselves and test themselves at the highest level they can locally.
“We are a month into pre-season and these new additions have slotted in really well and this will undoubtedly make our position stronger throughout the coming season.
“It really feels like a win-win situation and there is loads to be excited about. This positive energy has been enhanced by Paul joining us too.
“I’ve known Paul for a long time and I know that he will bring lots of qualities that will boost camaraderie and ultimately bolster our aims for the season.”
Club chair Laura Miller added: “Our club pledge is to become the club that the best of the local talented footballers want to join and we aim to be playing at Step Five by 2027.
“What’s happened over summer has ticked the first box as we have welcomed several quality players to what is already a talented squad, and hopefully this will help us deliver the aim of a promotion to Step Five by 2027.
“Being a football club that has a singular aim to promote and provide opportunities for female footballers, we are always looking to improve and cater for future growth.
“With this in mind, we will be looking at other areas we need to develop in order to meet new demands.
“Over the next nine months, we will be looking to see if there’s a demand for an additional team at the start of the 2026 season.
“So any players with desires to join us and showcase their skills, are urged to get in touch so that we have time to prepare ourselves.”
The first team start their season off on the road on August 17 as they travel to Bolton Wanderers Women Reserve Team, with their first home game coming midweek on the evening of August 27.
