Reds new boys make debuts against Gretna
Last updated 10:34, Saturday, 12 July 2008
Workington Reds fans will get a first look at new signings Kevin Gray and Dan Robinson against Gretna today as the club launches its bid to woo back stayaway supporters.
Home attendances dipped below an aggregate 10,000 last season for the first time in five years.
But the club is hoping for a flying start at Borough Park with an attractive pre-season opener against new-look Gretna, who are expected to bring a contingent of travelling fans for the fledgling club’s first outing.
“Hopefully a good start will pull back some of the missing fans,” said secretary Steve Durham. “We have to get our own house in order. If we produce something worth watching, we’ll get some back.”
Defender Alan Inglis will not feature as he has returned permanently to Annan, where he had a spell on loan last term.
“I couldn’t promise him first-team football here,” said boss Darren Edmondson. “But if it doesn’t work out for him at Annan, he’s welcome to come back and be part of our squad.”
A late decision will be made today on Anthony Wright, who next week undergoes a scan on his long-term foot problem. He is keen to face Gretna.
Durham, meanwhile, has stepped down as matchday programme editor after 35 years in the job.
Since volunteering to take the role in 1973, fresh out of school, he has compiled over 800 matchday publications covering first, reserve and youth team fixtures.
“I certainly enjoyed doing it, and it was a big part of my life,” he said. “But being football secretary as well, the two jobs didn’t go hand-in-hand, and something had to give.
“It was too time-consuming. When we had all those home games at the end of last season, it was horrendous.”
Paul Armstrong, Reds’ website editor, has taken over and will edit his first programme today, while Durham will assist when needed.
