The story behind the picture – Play off glory for Dabba

Hard to believe it is nearly fifteen years since this photograph was taken in a noisy home dressing room, as Reds celebrated promotion to Conference North after a successful first venture into the Play-offs.

The play-offs had been delayed in controversial circumstances due to the Spennymoor United saga but, eventually, Reds hosted Farsley Celtic in the Borough Park final and a 1,725 crowd turned out on 17 May, 2005 to cheer them on.

After 120 goalless minutes, it came down to a penalty shoot-out and, with the sixteenth spot-kick of the night, David Hewson drove the ball firmly into the Town End net and promotion was in the bag.

It was one of many highlights for Dabba in his distinguished Workington career, with his penalty giving Reds the lead for the first time with the last kick of the match.

A wonderful night for the club, twenty eight years to the day since playing their final Football League fixture!