NEW SIGNING: Reds get a Gooden

We are delighted to announce our first signing of 2021, Iyrwah Gooden!

The winger, 20, will join Danny’s Grainger’s Reds when the first-team resume training and playing – a time which is currently unknown.

Gooden is an exciting talent blessed with speed and tricky feet, and has had spells at Warrington and Chester, following his breakthrough at Mansfield, where he earned a professional contract.

He signed for Clitheroe in October and the former Blue also spent time at Ramsbottom United last season with our own Reuben Jerome, helping their former employers to a win over us us last January – our most recent NPL North West defeat.

Speaking upon signing on Wednesday, Gooden revealed how the move to West Cumbria came about.

“I was speaking to Reuben and he just said Workington were interested in signing me and we went from there,” he explained.

“It happened quite quickly, we’ve been in contact since we both left Ramsbottom – it wasn’t like rekindling!”

Having had spells at various clubs in recent years, Gooden is hoping for a settled period at Borough Park once current restrictions ease.

“It’s not been the best period for me because there haven’t been a lot of games,” he admitted.

“It was more annoying that anything, not knowing when we were going to restart, with nothing been clear.”

So what convinced the 20-year-old to seal the deal with Reds?

“Speaking to Reuben, the manager and his assistant, the aim of winning the league – nothing less.

“I liked that they weren’t afraid to say they were the best team in the league and that we want to win it, simple as that!”

Manager Grainger said of Gooden: “He’s a player that we’ve been impressed with over the last couple seasons.

“Myself and Ruddy think he’s someone who can come in add competition to the squad which every succesful club needs, and help get us to where we want to go.”

Welcome, Iyrwah!