It wasn’t the greatest of farewells – a 38-24 home defeat – but 84-year-old Workington Town stalwart Jimmy Woolaghan has seen it all in 56 years service for the club.
Jimmy was given a guard of honour as he walked onto the field ahead of Sunday’s Championship game with Dewsbury Rams.
The word legend is often used for players with exceptional talent, loyalty to one club or record-breaking performances but Jimmy earned his accolade for an incredible amount of time as a highly-respected volunteer.
His 56 years of loyal service ended on Sunday as Jimmy officially retired from the club he has served in many roles since 1970.
Back in his early days, when he turned out for Wath Brow Hornets – he was also a mean tackling full-back for Marsh Boys Club football team – he was once used as an AN Other substitute for the opposition when Dewsbury arrived short of numbers.
The story goes that one of Town’s A team players (Joe Sullivan) gave him a welcoming forearm across the face and broke his nose. But that certainly didn’t deter him.
Over the years he found himself in many different roles from carrying the kicking tee, to going on with the water and even doing the pre-match rubbing down and strapping.
As well as being well known across the English rugby league family he was also known Down Under.
When the family went to Australia, Jimmy’s daughter Vicky MacDonald, approached Australian Rugby League star Mal Meninga for an autograph and he readily obliged.
When he turned and saw Jimmy, however, the pair had a reminisce the time when the Aussies toured and played at Workington with Mal instantly recognising the backroom volunteer.
Throughout his time at the club there have been plenty of ups and downs but one of the constant figures was Jimmy.
He was there in 1977 at Wilderspool when Town did the unthinkable and beat Wigan 16-13 to lift the Lancashire Cup for the first time.
Seventeen years later he was at Old Trafford helping coach Peter Walsh and providing anything the Town needed to see off London Crusaders.
The 2000s brought their own issues for Town as the fall from Super League continued. But whenever there was player with cramp or needing a third to be quenched there was always Jimmy to solve it.
Jimmy also played a vital part in the Covid seasons and beyond even into his 70s as he looked to help out his beloved club even though the masks and gloves were required.
The secret to his longevity and loyalty to the club was he soon got the respect of the players, coaches and other club volunteers.
The club is fortunate in that his legacy will live on as Vicky is also connected with the club in a volunteer capacity, doing an excellent job in the bar section.
Fifty-six years at the club, working alongside an estimated 32 coaches and a lifetime of memories to cherish, Jimmy can now enjoy watching from the sidelines with family and friends as he settles into retirement and hopefully sees Town rise through the Championship.
