On this day- 06 December
A painful reminder of Reds’ exploits on the 6th December in previous years, it doesn’t make pleasant reading…………….
What is the common link between Carlisle United, Rotherham United, AFC Bournemouth, Burton Albion, Goole Town, Eastwood Town, Lancaster City and FC Halifax Town?
All of those clubs have inflicted defeat upon Reds on this day throughout the fifties, sixties, seventies, eighties, nineties and even into the 2000s. Our various managers and players would probably argue that we were rather unlucky in some of those matches but there was no defence for the defence considering the number of goals shipped.
This was particularly so in 1980 when we travelled to Burton Albion’s old Eton Park ground (pictured above) and were soundly beaten 5-0, the same score line as the previous season!
Playing against Reds that day was talented fullback, Bryan Kent, who signed for Workington the following season. Scoring one of the goals for Albion was a player called Dennis Jenas, the father of TV pundit and panellist, Jermaine Jenas!
There was another thumping in 1986 when we crashed 4-1 at Goole Town which, at the time, was our heaviest reverse for two seasons. Kevin Rowntree was in the Reds team that day with new born son, Gari, back at the family home in Workington.
Gari would later play for Reds on this day and in 2011, when we hosted FC Halifax Town, he captained the team for the first time. He made a losing start with Town emerging 2-1 winners despite a goal from Gari’s good mate, Gareth Arnison.
We were celebrating back in 2003, however, with the team able to put the jinx to one side briefly. A goal down at Ossett Town, we recovered to win 2-1 thanks to goals from Craig Johnston, a penalty, and Steve Archibald’s decider.
