New Workington Reds Reserves co-manager Billy Redden says the job was one he could not refuse.

Redden, along with Craig Routledge, will take charge of the reserves side for the new season, the duo taking over the reins from Steve Rudd, who left to join Gretna.

But Redden admitted it was a tough decision to make to leave the ladies team, following their County Cup success at the end of last term.

"It is an opportunity that I couldn't say no to," said Redden. "I was gutted to be leaving the girls because it has probably been my most satisfying year in football so far, so it will be a wrench.

"I spoke to Dave Hewson a couple of weeks ago so I have had a little bit of time to think about it.

"I was worried with being on shifts so pairing up with Craig, who I know well from our time playing at Whitehaven, seemed ideal to me.

"We can share the commitment and it was a great opportunity for us. We are both ambitious and trying to develop ourselves.

"Craig is very well thought of as a coach and I am looking forward to working with him."

And Redden said this was the right decision for him as he hopes to develop his coaching career.

He added: "It is a step up, with no disrespect to the girls, these lads should be at the better end of the Saturday league spectrum.

"And hopefully we are working with lads who want to push towards getting into the first team squad.

"It will be a very different challenge for me as the ladies team was a very competitive league where you are pushing for results all the time.

"And although the reserves are also in a competitive league, the primary focus is to develop at least a couple of players each year ready to join the first team.

"It will be interesting to identify the talent and help them reach that standard."

Redden is staying on board with the ladies until a replacement is found and looking to secure sponsorship for them for next season.

"It costs around £4,500 to run the ladies team and we need sponsors to come forward to help us," added Redden.

"I would like to get that in place so that when we get somebody is it is all in place for them to just run with it."

He added that there was already interest in the job from various sources.