By John Fuller

Last updated at 13:44, Thursday, 26 November 2009

A minute's silence in memory of PC Bill Barker will be held before Workington Reds match with Eastwood Town on Saturday.

Uncle: PC Bill Barker

PC Barker died when the Northside bridge, next to Reds’ Borough Park ground, collapsed on Friday.

Reds chairman Humphrey Dobie said it was a fitting tribute to someone who gave their life to help others.

Eastwood contacted the Reds’ board of directors this week and offered to switch the game to their Coronation Park stadium but after a meeting on Tuesday, they decided to keep the fixture in West Cumbria.

Power supplies to Borough Park had been cut off during the floods, causing last weekend’s FA Trophy game with Solihull and Wednesday’s Cumberland Cup tie with Greystoke to be called off.

A statement on the club website said: “The directors of Workington AFC would like to thank Eastwood Town for their kind offer to switch the tie to Coronation Park.

“But it was decided to hold the game Borough Park.

“All services were restored to Borough Park on Monday and with the flood defences surrounding Borough Park holding firm, the pitch, though very wet at the moment, should be perfectly playable for Saturday’s fixture.”

Borough Park came within six inches of flooding as the raging torrent crashed through the town.

Groundsman Jeff Curwen spent the early hours of Friday morning at the club ensuring the club was secure.

First published at 11:21, Thursday, 26 November 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk