Workington Town will enter its next chapter in 2027 as a new head coach has been appointed to lead the team.
At a press conference today, Jonty Gorley announced that he will be stepping down from the role after two years in charge and become the club’s head of rugby.
He will be replaced by current Barrow Raiders player Brad Singleton.
Gorley joined Town in 2024 from Whitehaven on a three-year contract and said it was his dream job and an offer he couldn’t refuse.
His full-time job allowed him to dedicate time to rugby but a change in jobs and a seven-day shift pattern has meant he does not have the time to devote to the club, without sacrificing time with his family.
He said: “I told Graeme Peers in mid-May and I thought that was it, I was stepping away from rugby completely. I think it was the first time I’ve seen Graeme speechless. I didn’t want to leave the club.”
The club said it did not want to lose Gorley – and he would be a big miss as head coach – and created the head of rugby role.
Gorley said: “Let me be clear, there will be no coaching involved but I am there to support the new head coach and it’s also about building bridges with community clubs, building those relationships.”
He will also work with the women’s team staff, he added.
Singleton was revealed as the side’s new head coach.
The Barrow-born prop forward returned to his home town club last month and will continue playing until the end of the season.
He has had a distinguished career at the very top of the British game, spanning more than 15 years.
During that time he has amassed more than 300 career appearances, the majority of which in the Betfred Super League.
Since making his debut for Leeds Rhinos in 2011, Singleton has gone on to represent the likes of Wakefield, Wigan, Salford and more recently Castleford, who he left in May.
He was part of Leeds’ treble-winning squad of 2015, spending a number of successful seasons at the Rhinos, and also represented the Ireland national team at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
He said he was looking forward to making the move into coaching and was delighted to have been approached by Town.
He added: “It’s my first gig and I’m excited about working with the club and how much Workington gets behind the team.
“There’s going to be tough moments and big moments.”
He said he would work closely with Gorley on player retention and use his contacts for player recruitment. He said he would be looking for players with fitness and game management and rugby IQ.
