On this day – 23 July
A look back through the diaries to reflect on pre-season action involving the Reds on the 23rd July in recent years………….
2019
There was a nostalgic return to Raydale Park for new Reds’ boss, Danny Grainger (pictured), who made his Workington debut on the ground where his illustrious career started.
The Black & Whites opened the scoring with a goal from Workington lad, Kevin Connelly, but Grainger’s boys dominated thereafter and eventually won 4-1. Man of the match, Liam Brockbank, equalised with a stunning strike – his first goal for the club – and was joined on the score sheet by two other ‘first timers’, Chas Bowman and Ash Kelly before Scott Allison netted a fourth.
A number of players, in both camps, were playing against their former club and we saw Jake Smith in black and white with twin brother, Sam, in red!
2012
Darren Edmondson took a mixed team to Cleator Moor Celtic for a rare friendly where the 4-1 score line finished in our favour.
Mark Boyd scored the first of four fine goals for Reds with Phil Storey, Mark Sloan and Stefan Scott also on target at McGrath Park.
2011
Hartlepool United made their first visit to Borough Park for thirty-five years with Mick Wadsworth’s side emerging 3-2 winners.
‘Pool’s star attraction, the Peruvian international Nobby Salano was included in the visitors’ squad alongside future Reds, Paul Johnson and Callum Hassan.
Reds opened the scoring with a David McNiven penalty but any thoughts of us achieving a shock win was short-lived.
2005
Our record at Dunston was mixed and a visit fifteen years ago ended in a 1-0 defeat.
We were left to rue a number of squandered chances with the hosts scoring a first half winner through Alex Benjamin.
2004
A future club legend pulled on a Workington shirt for the first time sixteen years ago in a match at Maryport.
Kyle May made his debut in a friendly at Netherhall and helped his new team mates to a 3-1 win.
Fellow debutant, Gary Cohen who, like Kyle, had signed from Gretna, scored one of the goals with Simon Tucker and Gary Hodgson also on target.
2001
Reds entertained a Burnley youth side at Borough Park and found themselves 2-0 down at the break.
But goals from two unusual scorers in the second half saw Peter Hampton’s side salvage a draw against one of his former clubs.
Reserve team player Nigel Nichol scored one of the goals and former Carlisle United physio, Neil Dalton, netted the equaliser in a ‘one-off’ appearance for the club.
Mick Doherty was in charge of the Burnley outfit.
