MATCH PREVIEW: The big kick-off

After what seems a lengthy pre-season campaign, the Northern Premier League gets underway on Saturday with Reds starting their 39th season as members with Whitby Town travelling to Borough Park for the opening fixture (3pm).

Reds have featured in thirty-seven opening week-ends in the past, although they actually started the 2001-02 campaign twenty-four hours later on the Sunday.

And in 1992, they weren’t involved in the opening round of fixtures at all, due to an odd number of teams in the division, playing the first match the following Wednesday.

Their opening week-end record has certainly improved since returning to the NPL in 2014 and, overall, Reds have obtained 14 opening day victories, suffered 12 defeats and been involved in 11 draws. Reds have netted 72 goals in those matches and conceded 60.

For Darren Edmondson, this will be a new experience. He hasn’t featured for Workington, or managed the team, in a Northern Premier League fixture. He was, of course, in charge for six opening Saturdays during our Conference North days producing a record of two wins and four defeats.

Lead coach, Brian Dawson, will fondly recall the magnificent start we made in 2003 with Reds producing their bet ever opening day win, a 7-0 home success over Ossett Town. He netted two goals that day.

Scott Allison has enjoyed day one of the season more than most, scoring eight of his many goals on opening day including that four goal blast against Ashton United just two years ago.

The last time we opened the season by playing Whitby Town was back in 1997 when Reds inflicted a 3-2 defeat upon the Seasiders at their Turnbull Ground. It should be pointed out, though, that Whitby finished the season as First Division champions that season and Workington were relegated!

Last season Town and Reds finished with identical playing records – both, and three others, finishing on 52 points in the congested Premier Division table.

Town have played seven pre-season games recording wins against Billingham Town, Thornaby and Blyth Spartans, losing against Hartlepool United and Guisborough Town and playing out draws against Stockton and Redcar Athletic.

Reds have also featured in seven friendlies losing the first at Queen of the South, recording draws against Penrith and Caledonian Braves and winning the others versus Cleator Moor Celtic, Heaton Stannington, Whitehaven and Carlisle United U19s.

The manager used 34 players in the pre-season programme although he will select his starting XI from the squad of 20 registered players, meaning some might not even make the bench on Saturday. There is cover for most positions and every player has done enough over the last couple of months to warrant a shirt.

If all goes to plan, this will be the last season at Borough Park so every game will be special and supporters need to cherish the last few matches in their favourite seat or exact bit of terracing.