Workington manager Billy Barr has praised Reds fans after his side’s third home win in a row.
Over 800 were inside Borough Park on Saturday to witness the 1-0 win over Rushall which pushed Reds to within three points of a safe position in the NPL Premier Division.
“Their support has been magnificent as a time when we have really needed their backing.
“Considering where we have been for virtually all of the season at the foot of the table the support has been terrific, appreciated by everyone – players, staff and officials.
“It certainly does play a part in the game and the feeling of togetherness is really uplifting,” he said.
Across the four NPL Divisions, Workington have the sixth best average attendance this season at 782 – just recently passed by Warrington Town (784).
They are the fourth best supported in the Premier Division with Bury of the West Division top of the pile on 3,400.
They are followed by Hednesford (Premier, 1,849), FC United of Manchester (Premier, 1,669), Stafford Rangers (West Division, 798) and then Warrington Town and Workington.
Reds best crowd has been 1,219 and over the season so far 11,725 have passed through the Borough Park turnstiles.
Barr’s men have nine fixtures left to clinch safety, with four of them at home – against Stocksbridge Park Steels (March 14), Hednesford (March 28), Cleethorpes (April 6) and April 25), which is the last game of the season.
The five away fixtures are: Guiseley (March 7), Hyde United (March 21), Warrington Rylands (April 4), Ashton United (April 11) and Warrington Town (April 18).
Manager Barr said: “We all hope that the level of support we’ve had all season can be maintained, and boosted over those final four important home games.”
Manager of month nomination
Meanwhile, Barr has been nominated for the NPL Premier Division manager of the month for February.
Reds are unbeaten for five games, three of them home wins, a run which has seen them put themselves within sight of safety – albeit with work to do.
He’s up again Mark Beesley (FC United of Manchester), Michael Dunwell (Stockton Town) and Neil Reynolds (Warrington Rylands).
All four managers have the same record over the last five matches, three wins and two draws – with Reds still bottom of the League while the others are all in the top six.
Supporters have the task of voting for the winner – rather than a panel of judges – and voting closes at 9am on Friday.
And one of Reds’ relegation-battling rivals Morpeth Town have signed the experienced Northern Ireland international Shane Ferguson.
The versatile left-sided player made the move to Craik Park following his recent departure from Derry City, where he played 13 times last season.
Earlier in his career, Ferguson made 23 Premier League appearances for Newcastle United.
He went on to represent Birmingham, Rangers, Rotherham United and most notably Millwall, where he spent six seasons and played more than 200 times before leaving in May 2021.
On the international stage, Ferguson was capped 57 times by Northern Ireland and was part of the squad that famously made the last 16 stage at Euro 2016.
He made his debut for the Highwaymen on Saturday, starting and finishing their 1-1 draw at home to Ashton United.
