Workington Town have been enjoying celebrations for the club’s 80th anniversary.
But one player unable to make it was centre Tony Kay from Barrow, who had been an integral part of Peter Walsh’s successful side of the 1980s.
However, Tony had such good memories of his time with the club that he spent a special message to the Supporters Club.
He said: ““I was very fortunate to play rugby league professionally for 10 years after signing for my home town club Barrow and then the mighty St Helens. I fulfilled the dream I had as a kid.
“But unquestionably, the most enjoyable times I had during my career were while playing for Workington Town.
“I was brought to the club by high aspiring Kevan George and his board as one of many recruits from all over the rugby league world.
“It was a case of teaming up with established icons such as Drummond, Wane, Byrne and McKenzie, bonding with tough and talented Cumbrians Armstrong, Oglanby, Kitchin, Marwood – to name a few – as well as an overseas influence which also played a huge part in the club’s relentless charge to success.
“Pickering, Mulligan and Hepi became legends on the field but equally as important was the man who made it all tick, Australian coach Peter Walsh.
“Walshy and his magnificent backroom staff made it easy for us players to prepare for and win the majority of our games.
“He was lightyears ahead with his coaching methods.
“Winning became a wonderful habit as we stormed through to the top flight from the lower two leagues.
“Two appearances at Old Trafford were incredible and occasions I will never ever forget.
“Sharing those finals with team mates, staff, family and the barmy Town army will live long in the memory.
“Those Town fans from 30 years ago deserve my final accolade.
“They followed us everywhere with numbers swelling week-on-week as the momentum gathered.
“Coachloads travelled with us. Derwent Park was made a fortress at home.
“They really did play their part and I hope they all reflect with immense pride on what was a very special time for Workington rugby league – Up the Town!”
Kay, now 61, played three seasons at Derwent Park, clocking up 66 appearances with 38 tries before a knee injury in the 1994/95 campaign prompted him to retire.
He had started with Holker Pioneers, before turning pro with Barrow in 1985 and he went on to make 79 starts for the Craven Park club, scoring 49 tries.
That sort of scoring ratio attracted the attention of St Helens who paid £20,000 to sign him.
He spent time in the A team with the Saints and in two seasons only played 15 times for the first team and failed to get over the opposition try line.
He was granted a transfer and Barrow paid £8,000 to take him back home and he soon found the try-scoring habit, going in for 22 touchdowns.
But Barrow ran into financial problems and started offloading their top players. Kay was one of them and was transferred to Workington for a reported £25,000 fee.
His final career stats were 162 starts plus 11 appearances from the bench, 87 tries and even four goals – all four for Barrow.
