Danny Barker has a year’s experience behind him now in the art of coaching as he prepares to lead Egremont into the reshaped National Conference competition.
The 36-year-old former Whitehaven pro wasn’t really pushing for the head coaching role at Gillfoot, having originally gone in to assist Rhys Davies.
But when Davies stood down from the role, he was encouraged to take the top job and last season was something of a learning curve as Egremont settled back into life in Division One.
“We lost our scrum-half Paul Corkhill early on with a career-ending injury and had a number of other injuries during the season which didn’t help.
“In the end we finished ninth in the table, two behind Kells after we had both come down from the Premier Division. We were eight points clear of any relegation trouble.
“I’m hoping we can build on that this season and we have an interesting start against Kells which will obviously be strongly contested.
“Our fans are really supportive and give us great backing so our home record is pretty good.
“Obviously I’m hoping we avoid the injuries we suffered last season and I think we have a decent squad. Numbers have been good at training and the lads seem pretty committed.
“I know away travel can be a problem up in Cumbria but once fixtures come out we ask the lads to try and provide their availability and plan accordingly.”
Lachlan McDowell was a young Aiustralian who came over last year for a break, enjoyed it so much that he has returned for the 2026 season.
Rangers have also two other Aussies with the club, who have come over for the season with their partners and have obtained jobs in the area.
Joe Lewis is a half-back and a physio while Connor Williams plays centre or second-row and is a joiner.
“It’s good that they are over with their partners because they have been able to do a bit of sightseeing around the country as well,” says Barker.
Disappointingly Egremont had to call off their final warm-up game last Saturday against Wath Brow.
“I left it as long as possible but in the end there was just too many unavailable on the day through one reason or another.
“To be fair we also had an eye on the opening Division One game and didn’t want to risk any more injuries with a few already carrying knocks.
“We lost both previous warm-up games, both narrowly, against Hensingham and Millom but I expect us to step up from those.
“Hensingham played very well bit our completion rate was running as low as 48% which we obviously have to drastically improve.
“Against Millom we took 23 players and the chopping and changing contributed I think to that defeat, but again full marks to the opposition.
“Now we have to step-up for Kells when it really gets serious on Saturday and I’m expecting to see all round improvement,” says Barker.
His own career started as a six-year-old at Maryport, and then to Glasson Rangers where he was spotted for the Whitehaven scholarship scheme.
He eventually signed for Whitehaven at 16 and was to spend eight years there, playing in over 70 first team games.
“Dave Rotheram was my first coach but in my time I also played under Paul Crarey, Don Galier, Ged Stokes (when I probably played most) and David Seeds.
“I then had a year out but was asked to play a few games with Silloth Rugby Union and from there I signed for Kendal where I spent another eight years. I can’t really speak highly enough of the Kendal club, it was great.
“I was selected for Cumbria during my time there and had the pleasure of playing twice at Twickenham in county finals – winning one and losing the other.
“But injuries starting catching up with me, including a couple of concussions and on doctor’s advice I decided to retire.
“At the back end of last season I did turn out for Egremont when we were short at Oulton. I came on for the last 15 minutes, a bit shattered because I hadn’t trained but I really felt at home – the buzz of playing rugby again,” he says.
