Workington Reds have officially released their retained list ahead of the 2026/27 season which starts in August.
Manager Billy Barr has kept a dozen members of last season’s first team squad, and is in discussions with three more.
Two of those involved in task are senior players Steven Rigg and Dav Symington who both had injury issues over the second half of the season.
Rigg eventually underwent a knee operation while Symington was still considering surgery after managing to play a few minutes in a handful of games in the closing weeks.
Barr is also talking with midfielder Isaac Whitehall about returning to Borough Park after tempting him back to the game following his release by Blackburn Rovers because of a persistent injury.
Whitehall was a big success for the Reds in their fine recovery to retain their NPL Premier Division status, although he wasn’t available every game because of new work commitments outside football.
Two goalkeepers – Alex Mitchell and Danny Eccles – are in the 12 retained players along with two youngsters who are expected to have bright futures, Josh Palmer and Alfie McDonough.
Brad Carroll, who ended the season as a key player in the successful fight to avoid relegation, had been on loan from Bury and he was subsequently released by the Shakers.
The Gigg Lane club won the NW Counties Premier Division title and will be playing Reds next season in the Premier Division.
Jake Allan and Dan Hopper, who spent time on loan with the Reds last season, have also been released by their parent club Carlisle United.
It seems highly likely that Barr will be talking to Carroll, Allan and Hopper about permanent deals with Workington.
The retained players are: Alex Mitchell, Danny Eccles, Kai Nugent, Cieran Casson, Tom Stephenson, Charlie Barnes, Jack Dickinson, Keelan Leslie, Luke Ellis, Jordan Little, Josh Palmer, Alfie McDonough.
The Northern Premier League Premier Division will be back up to 22 teams next season after Widnes were late withdrawals ahead of last season.
They will welcome back Alfreton Town and Curzon Ashton following their relegation from the National League North.
NPL East Division champions Redcar Athletic and play-off winners Emley are joined by NPL West counterparts Bury and Avro, who make the jump to Step 3.
The other new team is Quorn, who move laterally from the Southern League Central, whilst Rushall Olympic will make the switch over to the Southern League Central.
Morpeth Town and Stocksbridge Park Steels drop in to the East Division alongside four clubs promoted from Step 5 – Beverley Town, Guisborough Town, Liversedge and West Auckland Town.
In the West Division, Prescot Cables come down from Step 3 while coming up from Step 5 are 1874 Northwich, Hanley Town and Padiham, while Lichfield City make a lateral movement from the Midlands Division.
Two sides relegated from Step 3 elsewhere, Barwell and St Ives Town, drop in to the NPL Midlands Division, alongside promoted clubs Boston Town, Coventry United, Grantham Town and Nuneaton Town. Bourne Town have received a reprieve to stay at Step 4 following the voluntary relegation requested by Mousehole FC elsewhere.
NPL Premier Division (22 teams): Alfreton Town, Ashton United, Avro, Bamber Bridge, Bury, Cleethorpes Town, Curzon Ashton, Emley, FC United, Gainsborough Trinity, Guiseley, Hyde United, Ilkeston Town, Lancaster City, Leek Town, Quorn, Redcar Athletic, Stockton Town, Warrington Rylands, Warrington Town, Whitby Town, Workington.
