Workington's Mark Fryer and Whitehaven's Tommy Todd look at the burning issues in west Cumbria rugby league

Can you describe "that sinking feeling". What were your emotions when relegation was confirmed?
MF: To be realistic it has been coming for a couple of weeks. I am a terrible spectator so every time we are under the cosh or if we get beat my stomach churns. I take every ball in and feel every tackle. I hate it.

It is really, really tough but perversely there is always an enjoyment for me watching Workington Town.

But I was absolutely devastated when we got relegated.

TT: For me as chairman it was very personal and one can only describe it as being like losing a family member. However at the actual moments after it was confirmed I was concerned about other colleagues and fans some of whom were bereft. I don't think I have seen so many grown men close to and in tears.

If you could relive the 2016 season what would you have done differently?
MF: I don't know about doing anything differently but I think our injuries compounded our season, following on from last year.

It would have been good to get a better start to the season and maybe a higher intensity from the outset if we had been dealt a different set of circumstances. But because of the hand we were dealt it would have been difficult to do anything differently.

TT: Sorry but this question is one that can only be answered with the gift of hindsight.

Is there an overall problem with rugby in west Cumbria. The location?
MF: I don't think there is an overall location problem and sometimes the location works to our advantage. I think the issue in West Cumbria is the numbers participating in the game at amateur levels.

I think the investment into the amateur game by the RFL needs to be addressed. When you talk to the amateurs they are saying that summer rugby has had a negative impact and they are losing the kids.

It isn't number one around here any more lads would rather be going to festivals and on stag dos and the like before playing.

That then has an impact on our game as we don't get the numbers of people coming through that want to turn professional.

But the location side can help as the lads who do turn pro tend to stay with us.

TT: There are underlying and now fundamental problems with most sports in the area at a semi pro' level. Demographics have changed and younger people no longer feel rooted to a club and find entertainment in many different guises and are prepared to travel further afield for that entertainment and so the clubs here are challenged to provide the right product.

It has long been suggested that the two clubs merge. Are there any merits in doing so?
MF: Yes, there are merits but everybody has to want to do it and to get that complex mix of people together that want to do it has proved extremely difficult.

I have always said that we have two clubs managing decline and not just on the financial side but also on player numbers coming through the system.

TT: The merger has not as you put it 'long been discussed' it's something relatively new. The much vaunted Rapley report didn't endorse the merger idea. There are too many basic problems as in location and funding and no one has seriously come forward with any specifics as to how these basic problems can be overcome.

Do you regard life next season in League One as more of a challenge or more of an adventure?
MF: It is both but definitely more of a challenge. The funding systems will be reduced and we have to make playing the game in a lower division more appealing to our fans.

And we know that is going to prove difficult but we are all positive and aiming to be pro-active about next season.

TT: A challenge most definitely, but we have the opportunity to virtually start from scratch and bring in new ideas and projects without which our club can't move forward.

Is the very survival of your club an issue?
MF: It has been for as long as I have been here and involved with the club. And mainly because of all the issues we have already discussed.

It is a problem week-on-week, month-on-month and year-on-year. We have a small number of sponsors, although the sponsors we have are absolutely fantastic. But the financial worries are always present.

TT: Survival at a lot of clubs is always a balancing act, the trouble mainly is a lack of funding and as such clubs are often only a heartbeat away from an unforeseen crisis such as we are seeing at York and Sheffield that can simply pull clubs down remarkably swiftly.

How can the council, town organisations and the county authorities help?
MF: I think they have been positive towards us surrounding the World Cup and Four Nations matches we have hosted and are about to host.

But there are other people and sports out there besides rugby league so we are just one small fish in a big pond where everybody wants help and money. Everybody is turning to everyone else for help to sustain their sport and their clubs.

TT: There is little these bodies can do to help due to the financial strictures they have to operate under. There are issues like sponsorship, advertising and say planning where they could help but they also have little room for manoeuvre.

Are you worried about the calibre of player you might attract at League One level?
MF: Our location does help us as we always try to attract the best amateurs and that's what we intend to do again. And we are pretty positive about that.

The finances will make things more difficult but we have to work hard to see that we can get the right packages available.

TT: That's always a concern in any season but the knock on effect from the Likes of Toulouse and Toronto diminishing the already narrow pool of players is a worry. However a new coach may well have new untapped contacts.

What can the RFL do to help the game in Cumbria?
MF: I think they should use us as an example of how to develop the game. I always said that if I won the lottery I would put a rugby league development officer in every amateur club. Almost a full time coach in effect and it would be money well spent.

They could get out into the community to bring the amateur game on more and that would be the way forward but we can't do that.

But I do know that we can't all go out and try and buy a side all the time because it just doesn't work.

TT: It can start, in my opinion, by getting the game back to some recognizable form that it had, ie these ridiculous uncontested scrums make the game a laughing stock. Try to bring core skills back into play instead of an often dull as dishwater set of robots. Scores like 48 - 40 are we seriously saying that that reflects good rugby?? Stop aping everything the Australians do. Re invigorate the Challenge Cup - or it will go. But the one big thing would be to introduce equal funding. Concentrating on the 'homelands' instead of expansion and as my good friend John Walsh is apt to say they should stop being missionaries and instead preach to the converted.

Reasons to be cheerful?
MF: We have to stay upbeat and there are always reasons to look on the bright side.

1 - We have Marnie Jackson and the work that she does in the community is absolutely invaluable. People often don't see the work that she does but she is an absolute star. She works with youngsters in the schools and in the amateur game, and she will help to host a Schools Olympics event this month with hundreds of children heading to the stadium.

2 - Richard West and his team who run the club's lottery. It is unbelievable what they do for Workington Town week in and week out to keep funding coming into the club.

3 - Our realistic fans who have been so positive towards the club's future. We had 50 supporters at Halifax for the final game all in fancy dress and good spirits. We know the supporters are key to any success and we have had a number say they will support Workington in any division because they love the club.

TT: Both clubs are still here and whilst not thriving at the moment perhaps a period of reflection can re-focus both clubs. The Whitehaven fans are still an amazing bunch of people, West Cumbria is a beautiful place to live and with the promise of a huge infra structure project at Sellafield we can have some optimism.