New season kicks off
Last updated 19:49, Thursday, 07 August 2008
WORKINGTON Reds kick off their Blue Square North campaign tomorrow against Hinckley Utd at the Marston Stadium.
Reds finished 14th last season but have brought in the experienced Kevin Gray. The big defender signed on at Borough Park despite interest from League Two and Blue Square Premier clubs.
Gray was released by Chesterfield at the end of last season and also captained Carlisle Utd to their League Two Championship winning team in 2006.
However, Gray is facing up to three months on the sideline after an operation on the knee he damaged in the friendly at Whitehaven three weeks ago.
Boss Darren Edmondson said: “Kevin needs a cartilage operation and he is hoping to be able to get it done through the PFA. If that’s the case it will be quicker by going private and we will have him back sooner.
“It could be six weeks at the earliest or something like 10 to 12 weeks at the worst.”
It has been a tough pre-season as some few familiar faces have left the club. Michael Reed decided to rejoin Northern League side Penrith to the disappointment of Edmondson.
Edmondson said: “It’s disappointing because Michael is taking a few steps down the football ladder. I tried to persuade him to stay with us but he has elected to go back to Penrith.”
Reds have also lost Alan Gray to Penrith last week as well as Matthew Berkeley, who joined league rivals Droylsden earlier in the summer while Tony Nicholson followed reserve team boss Stuart Rome to Gretna and Alan Inglis has gone to Scottish league new boys Annan
Young goalkeeper Arran Taylor moved to Barrow, meaning there is only one goalkeeper at the club.
Edmondson had invited England keeper Scott Carson’s brother Grant to training after his deal with Stockport fell through but he decided to give up on professional football and play up front for Sunday Leauge team Cleator Moor Celtic.
“We invited Grant down but he said that he would prefer to give up on a life in professional football and play for a Sunday team. That is fine by me. If players don’t want to come here and play football then that is fine. Grant could have come down, done well and moved up the football pyramid.”
Edmondson also hopes to sign Kendal striker Gareth Arnison in time for the trip to Hinckley, and says he will definitely play on Tuesday night at home to Harrogate.
Reds’ 3-1 win over Carlisle on Monday night was the highlight of pre-season which also included wins over Gretna, Whitehaven Amateurs and Spartans.
Edmondson said: “It was very, very pleasing because we showed that we can pass the ball around well and everyone worked very hard. We got the goals, too, which was encouraging.
“But not everyone is going to let us pass it about as Carlisle did and I imagine it’s going to be rather different at Hinckley.
“They are a long-ball team, physical with it, so we have to be ready for that kind of challenge and be prepared to play our football when we can.
“We are a fairly young squad with some experienced players but if they can all believe in what they can achieve and show the right work ethic I’ll be optimistic.”
Kevin Gray (cartilage) and Phil McLuckie (poisoned leg) both missed the friendly, while Craig Johnston was unavailable because of a family health problem.
Graham Anthony has been named club captain after Kyle May gave it up in February.
Rumours of David Hewson moving to Annan Athletic have been quashed by the Reds boss. Edmondson said: “There had been talk of David going to Annan but what I will say to that is; was his performance on Monday night against Carlisle the kind of performance you expect from someone wanting to leave? No is the answer.”
l Supporters’ Club July draw: 1, £465, No179, John Robinson, Aspatria; 2, £100, No411, Tony Metherill, High Harrington; 3, £55, No512, John Graham, Workington; 4, £50, No507, C Shepherd, Workington. Drawn by match steward George Graham.
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