WORkINGTON TOWN gets set for
a new season Interview with Dave Rotherham
It can often be difficult to take positives out The off season has seen a lot of players out of the
of a defeat – especially one against your
exit door at Derwent Park, with several key figures
bitter local rivals – but for Workington Town
moving on to clubs in higher divisions.
coach Dave Rotheram there was much to
Hooker Shaun Lunt, a star of the team, has been
get excited about when his new look team
snapped up by Huddersfield Giants, just like Town’s
tormentor in the Ike Southward game, Gregg
finally took to the field against Whitehaven
McNally. But while Whitehaven have been allowed
in the Ike Southward Memorial Trophy game
to take McNally back on loan for the season no
recently.
such luxury has been afforded to the Town boss.
Town went down to a 26-14 defeat in awful
“Gregg is a young lad who they clearly see as
conditions at The Recreation Ground, but the
one for the future, they’ve let him go back to
home side needed a late try from their teen
Whitehaven to finish off his schooling, which is fair
sensation Gregg McNally to wrap the game up,
enough and suits all parties.
and giving such a stern test to a side that
will be looking to compete at the top end of the
“Being in his early 20s Shaun is a bit older and they
first division demonstrated how far they have come
feel he can do a job for them now – and to be
in the past 12 months.
fair if the lad thinks he has a crack at playing full
time you can’t really fault him for going there and
“It wasn’t bad when you consider what happened
having a go, I hope it works out for him, and he
in the corresponding fixture last year,” said Dave.
goes with my best wishes, I could never deny him
“We lost 48-0 at home, so we are clearly making
the chance.” Dave added.
progress. This was a tough game against a good
side who will be there or there abouts in the first
“Barrow have probably signed our two best players
division.”
from last year in Liam Campbell and Chris Young.
Rotheram was appointed Town coach just “But Liam is from Barrow and it was a chance for
over a year ago. It is fair to say he endured
him to play for him hometown club who, in fairness,
a tough first twelve months at the helm.
are playing at a higher level then us next season.
With little money to spend and a squad of players
already contracted and in situ, it has taken a year
or so for Dave to put his own stamp on the team.
“Things weren’t easy, we didn’t have a very big
squad and there wasn’t a lot of money to spend
on recruitment.
“I think our best 17 was pretty decent, and we
managed to get some good wins when we had a
strong side available.
“But we had some dreadful luck with injuries and
when key players we didn’t have the money to buy
any others to come in and take their place.”
Photo courtesy of John Story of The Whitehaven News
36 info@thewestcumbriaguide.co.uk
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