ON THIS DAY: 20 December – Yorkshire connections

Reds have made a habit of playing Yorkshire opponents on the 20 December in past years, enjoying a modicum of success…….

Apart from a 5-2 defeat at Halifax Town back in 1952, Reds have enjoyed a win (2-1) and a draw (3-3) against Bradford Park Avenue in 1958 and 1997 respectively then obtained a 3-1 NPL President’s Cup victory over Frickley Athletic in 2003.

But we look back on our 1975 Fourth Division encounter versus Doncaster Rovers at Borough Park where two Yorkshiremen took centre stage against Yorkshire opposition in a very satisfying 3-1 success.

Alan Ashman (featured), an adopted Cumbrian but born in Rotherham, had been installed as Reds new manager earlier in December but his first game in charge was against Doncaster Rovers.

And another adopted Cumbrian, Martin Harris, was playing against his home town club having been born in Doncaster some twenty years earlier.

Martin had an afternoon to remember, just two days before his birthday, scoring twice in the match and being involved in the build-up to Reds’ other goal from Barry Endean.

Rovers did pull a goal back through Peter Kitchen but it was Workington’s day or to be more precise, Messrs Harris and Ashman’s!     

Playing for Doncaster that day was another Yorkshireman with strong Cumbrian connections, Chris Balderstone.