AS the Rugby League season comes to an end, Workington Town has been buoyed by a recently-renewed sponsorship deal and an ‘unseen team’ of volunteers who make the club tick.
Between them, the volunteers have given decades to the club, helping to turn it around and set it up for a brighter future.
Last year the club embarked on a new era when its Derwent Park stadium was renamed as part of a significant injection of investment by broadband provider Fibrus.
“The club’s had its bad times,” says Stephen ‘Patch’ Daniels, “But we’re helping to take it forward now.”
A retired bricklayer, Patch began volunteering in 2012.
He helped to prepare for the two 2013 Rugby League World Cup matches that were played at Town. He recalls: “I looked at the grandstand and thought ‘that looks shabby.’"
So, he bought some paint and painted its back wall.
He is often there seven days a week. His remit has expanded as the club has grown. Patch is kit manager for Town’s men’s team and its recently formed women’s rugby and football teams.
Volunteering helps the club, and it gives a lot back to the volunteers. Patch says: “Four or five years ago I was going through a bad time. It was the rugby side of it and being down here that sorted me out really.
"I came down every day. There was always something to do. I could switch off from my feelings at the time. It did me a lot of good. It was very therapeutic. I sorted myself out. But it did help a lot.”
The club’s volunteers also include Richard West, who spends much of his time preparing the pitch; Wayne Scholey who is responsible for areas including ticketing and stock control; his wife Julie who volunteers to manage the club’s food and soft drink outlets; Lindsey Borthwick who runs the club lottery, and also volunteers as office manager; electrician Malcolm Hill; and George and Christine Taylor, whose roles include picking up litter from the stadium the morning after a match.
Adrian Sharp bought a burger van, and cooks the matchday burgers and chips himself. He had the idea for the Fan Zone marquee. Patch and Richard paid for it, as a gift to the club.
Patch was there, too, on the day to lend a hand when the ground was renamed the Fibrus Community Stadium, marking an important new chapter for the club.
“I couldn’t believe it was happening," he said.
"I remember I was shaking with excitement because we have been through some hard times and to see the club going forward was a brilliant feeling.”
Fibrus is committed to supporting Cumbrian grassroots sports
and has recently renewed its sponsorship, giving a further boost to the many dedicated locals driving the club forward.
Colin Hutchinson, CFO of Fibrus, said: “Volunteers like Patch are integral to the smooth running of Workington Town.
"Their tireless dedication is what makes all the difference in keeping that community spirit alive."
Graeme Peers, Town chairman, added: "Everyone at the club is immensely grateful for what the volunteers have done for us. They are still part of the club as we move forward with our plans to develop Workington as a sustainable club in line with our 2027 pledge."
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