The past two seasons have seen Workington AFC play at their highest level of football for thirty years as the ongoing improvement has been maintained.
Demoted to the North West Counties League in 1998, The Reds have climbed back to respectability and, over the past two seasons, established themselves in Blue Square North.
Last season, the west Cumbrians reached the top of the table in November, albeit for a stay of just three weeks, but a miserable run of form over the Christmas period (eight games without a win) appeared to have brought a premature end to their aspirations.
A return to form in February revived the play-off bid and they eventually finished in 3rd position - a commendable effort - only to fail in the play-offs losing 2-1 to Hinckley United on aggregate.
In addition to some impressive league form, Reds also reached the Cumberland Cup final (for the 35th time incidentally) which compensated for poor returns in both the FA Cup and Trophy where they fell at the first hurdle to lower placed opposition. They won the County Cup overcoming old rivals Carlisle United 2-1 at Brunton Park.
Off the field, the club, under new chairman Humphrey Dobie, have drafted proposals for a much needed re-vamp of their antiquated Borough Park stadium - home for the past seventy years.
BRIEF HISTORY - THE EARLY DAYS
The club was formed in 1884, with the first game played in January of that year. Wigton provided the opposition and a goalless draw was the outcome.
There was no league as such in those early days with matches played merely on a friendly basis until the introduction of the Cumberland Cup (1885-86).
In 1890 we became founder members of the Cumberland Association League, where we remained until 1894. A seven year spell in the Cumberland Senior League followed and whilst there a 17-1 victory was obtained against Cockermouth Crusaders. Even our goalkeeper scored in that win which remains a club record.
Lancashire League status was obtained 1901 although, after only two seasons, we returned to the Cumberland Senior League for one year.
From 1904-1910 we competed in the Lancashire Combination but, in an effort to economise, it was decided to switch to the North Eastern League.
The club disbanded in 1911 going into voluntary liquidation.
Workington A.F.C. was reborn in 1921 after a 10-year break.
NORTH EASTERN LEAGUE
After election to the N.E.L. for the start of the 1921-22 campaign, we commenced with a game at South Shields Reserves - losing 1-2.
In 1938-39 we finished in second position and a memorable season included an unbeaten League and Cup run of 18 matches.
The N.E.L. Challenge Cup was lifted in 1935 and 1937, while we were losing finalists in 1938.
Some high scoring victories were obtained during that era, including a 15-1 win over Walker Celtic and an even better 16-1 success against Chopwell Institute. A player called Andy Lincoln scored 6 and 5 respectively in those games.
On 8 occasions the team scored a century of league goals with the 147 in 1933-34 an exceptional performance.
FOOTBALL LEAGUE CUP
During the mid sixties Workington developed a proud record in the Football League Cup, twice progressing to the quarter-final stage. In 1963-64 West Ham United prevented us reaching the semi-final by virtue of their 6-0 win at Upton Park while, the following season, Chelsea were held 2-2 at Workington but knocked us out 2-0 in the replay. Before the Chelsea tie, we had beaten First Division Blackburn Rovers (5-1 at Ewood Park) and Second Division Norwich City
(3-0 at Borough Park). A 9-1 victory over Barrow in 1964 remained a record score in the competition until 1983-84.
F.A. CHALLENGE CUP
The club's best season in the F.A. Cup was in 1933-34 when, as a non-league club, we reached the 4th Round only to lose to Preston North End (1-2) in front of 15,000 fans at Lonsdale Park. In 1951-52 we lost 1-0 to Liverpool at Anfield in front of 52,581 spectators. Manchester United came to Borough Park in 1958 (just prior to the Munich crash) and the crowd of 21,000 remains a club record. Record receipts of £8909 were obtained in 1980 when Carlisle United were our visitors. Several embarrassing cup defeats have been inflicted upon us during the past two decades, with Reds not having played in the 1 st Round proper since 1982.
F.A. TROPHY
Workington's best run in the competition was during the 1999-2000 season when they reached the 5th Round only to fall to Kettering Town in front of a 1600 home attendance. Best win in the Trophy was obtained during the mid nineties - an amazing 7-1 away win over Northamptonshire side Rothwell Town. Graham Gill once scored four goals for Reds in a 5-2 victory at North Shields back in 1980.
F.A. VASE
Workington's only involvement in the Vase was during their time in the North West Counties League (1998-99). It represented their best chance of playing at the old Wembley Stadium but, sadly, they fell at the quarter-final stage to Bedlington Terriers. Several ties in that run attracted four figure crowds.
MANAGERS
Tommy Cassidy is the longest serving manager in the club's history and some of his predecessors include Bill Shankly, Joe Harvey, Ken Furphy, Keith Burkinshaw, Alan Ashman, John McNamee, Bobby Johnstone, Barry Endean, Les O'Neill, Mick Heaton and Peter Hampton.
PLAYERS
Goalkeeping legend, John Burridge, is perhaps the most famous Workington 'old boy', whilst more recently the likes of Alan Suddick, Dennis Wann, Jim Pearson, Paul Stewart, Derek Fazackerley and Derek Mountfield have played for the Reds. Those who have spent the bulk of their careers at Borough Park include Bobby Brown, John Ogilvie, Mike Rogan (all of whom made over 400 appearances), Tony Geidmintis, Joe Wilson and Keith Burkinshaw (who topped the 300 mark).