A WEST Cumbrian town is bathing in sporting glory this week, in what community leaders have hailed as an ‘absolutely awesome pinnacle’.
Over the Bank Holiday weekend, Workington Reds secured promotion as they won an epic play-off final, which was followed by their mid-week win in the Cumberland Cup.
The build-up of excitement had been noticeable ahead of the Tuesday night win over Clitheroe.
The club were expecting a big crowd, eventually being confirmed as over 2,500, with 1,665 turning out to cheer on the Reds.
The win was the pinnacle of a brilliant season for the Reds and saw promotion into the Northern Premier League Premier Division.
The management team, staff and bench rushed onto the pitch, exhausted players sank to their knees, the youngsters piled over the fences and past the stewards to mob the Reds' players, and the chant of 'Pump it Up, Pump it Up, The Reds Are Going Up' echoed around Borough Park on a day that some say ‘will be long remembered’.
In a statement following the win, head coach Danny Grainger said his team had been able to ‘fulfill their dreams’ as he thanked all involved at the club for their support over the season.
He said: “I can not thank them enough.”
On Bank Holiday Monday, the women of the Zebra Finches RUFC also made the town proud with an epic victory at the home of rugby union in the Papa John’s Cup.
After fighting to get to Twickenham all season, both on and off the pitch, the ladies made their way down to what many regard as ‘HQ’ for an epic game that was won just before the halfway point of extra time.
Head coach Chris Davidson said: “We were in the home changing room that had been left set up from the Roses match, some of the team were sitting in the cubicles in front of the shirts of their heroes, so it was fairly epic.
“The supporters just absolutely shouted the place down, we won, and we got to go up and get the plate and winners' medals in the Royal box.
“The culmination of everything that team has done, all the sacrifices people have made, and the sacrifices family have made.
“There were people on that pitch who it probably was there 10th season, and there was some who it probably was their first season. Our team is this hodge podge extended family that includes everyone.
“The important thing for me is the opportunity of the legacy of this, I have two girls and they were just made up and so inspired.
“West Cumbria has always punched above its weight in sport and now it’s just about embedding the belief that it can be done.”
Political leaders in the town offered their congratulations to the two teams who have enjoyed success this weekend.
Cumberland Council leader Mark Fryer said: “The Finches' win is absolutely fantastic, and they are becoming an essential part of the Zebras club, from its inception where it was all fun and a little bit of a laugh, it’s now become an integral part in the growth of that club. It’s absolutely fantastic.
“The Reds, some people say they were cheated out of promotion three years ago so it’s one in the eye for all those people who think differently.
"Absolutely brilliant for Danny and his players, but more importantly the supporters who support them through thin and thick, well done.
“Sport is at the heart of every community, it’s the lifeblood and now it’s becoming more important that it’s inclusive. It’s absolutely brilliant and both teams have achieved a pinnacle which is really difficult to do, and to do it twice in the same town it’s just awesome.”
Workington MP Mark Jenkinson said: “What a fantastic weekend for our local sports teams. I was actually away with a kids' football tournament, I was following the Reds' match while we were playing and it was fantastic.
“And the Finches as well, when I saw that, it’s brilliant, it’s really fantastic.
“It was absolutely fantastic to see the support for it locally and let’s hope it continues.
“We have got a real proud history of developing fantastic sportsmen and women, this year we are also going to see the comeback of Speedway.
“There is a huge amount of talent - we are a real hotbed of sporting talent and we should shout about it more.”
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