As a lifelong town fan it has been an honour to report on the club in this season like other. From being allowed back into the grounds after lockdown and having matches cancelled due to the virus the club and players have fought through all the odds to see the side promoted into the Championship in epic style. Every townie will have their own 'greatest hits' collection from this once in a lifetime season but I thought it would only be right to do my top five moments from this year. It's often said there's no game in the world like rugby league to bring people together and make you feel a way about a team, from the nail biting 79th minutes to the elation of a crucial win and in my opinion there's no side in the game quite like Workington Town. The club is steeped in history the fans are the best in the world creating an atmosphere like no other. Here are my top five moments from this season:
Workington Town players celebrate after securing promotion back to the Championship for 2022. Picture: Ben Challis
HAPPY: Me and my mam in the grandstand not long after the final hooter sounded
1) The 80th minute on Grand Final Day.
For anyone who was in the 2,000 strong crowd on Grand Final day at Derwent Park the 80th minute will always be one to remember. After a sometimes difficult season the final hooter which sealed the side's place in the Championship next year was like music to the ears of all of the town fans in the stadium that day. Chris Thorman's side beat Doncaster 36-12 with Derwent Park going into uproar with chants of 'Town town blue and white and white army'.
JOY: Workington supporters mob the team at the end of the game (Ben Challis)
2) Town fans mobbed the team on the pitch.
To me it's always the fans that make rugby league the sport it is,people often talk about the 'Rugby League family' and that was no more apparent then when the players won the cup. Droves of kids and fans burst over the lines to run on and congratulate their heroes. It also showed the fantastic work that has been going on behind the scenes at the club to get the next generation of townies inspired to be a part of what goes on at Derwent Park.
DELIGHT: Carl Forber runs in to score the winning try for Town as the hooter sounds Picture: Gary McKeating
3) Buffers try on the hooter
The last gasp try had to be one to remember for years to come as Town's leading try scorer Carl Forber, known affectionately to fans as 'buffer' stormed across the line on the hooter at Derwent Park. Rochdale Hornet and former town player Penkywicz chanced a pass that was intercepted by Forber who went on to race across the pitch and score on the hooter. The stadium erupted as fans knew the team had clinched the much needed 34-28 victory. For me its always these heart stopping moments that make rugby league the game it is.
Workington Town supporters applaud the win (Ben Challis)
4)The Golden Point in the Semi-final
Derwent Park erupted as Forber slotted the penalty between the sticks in extra time to hand Town victory and finally see off a spirited Keighley comeback. Everyone at the ground had their hearts in their mouths as the successful conversion sealed the clubs place in the Betfred League One final.
CHEER: Supporters were glad to be back in Derwent Park
5) Supporters return to Derwent Park after Covid-19
For any town fan the return to Derwent Park for the first time in a year had to be a moment of bliss - Thin Lizzy's anthem for the club 'The boys are back in town' has never rang so true, fans descended into the stadium in their hundreds to watch the first match back. The atmosphere was electric with supporters delighted to be back on the holy turf - the pleasure of the day even compensated for the defeat.
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