Workington Town seek permission for new players to debut against Fijians

By Martin Morgan

Last updated 12:42, Wednesday, 26 November 2008

Workington Town plan to unveil all their new signings in Sunday’s big friendly against the Australian Fijians – as long as they secure permission from their former clubs.

Mike Whitehead and Andrew Beattie, both ex-Barrow, Steve Roper (Widnes), Tommy Brindle (Wigan), Michael Watton (Gateshead) and Mark Hobson, formerly with Salford, are all technically contracted to their old clubs until December 1.

This means Town will be talking to their former outfits to seek the all-clear to enable them to face the Fijians at Derwent Park. But boss Dave Rotheram does not see any problem in securing the green light.

“It’s an administrative thing. Hopefully it will be sorted and we’ll have quite a strong team,” said Rotheram. “It just needs goodwill.”

The problem does not often arise in pre-season matches as most are not pencilled in until late December at the earliest, when players are contracted to their new clubs.

But the chance to face a touring team coached by ex-Town legend James Pickering proved an attractive proposition for Workington.

Rotheram is keen to give fans a look at new Aussie capture Watton, the ex-Gateshead half-back, who joined the club on Friday.

“He’s been very, very well-referenced by people I’ve spoken to at Gateshead, and in Australia,” the coach added. “They all say he can play.”

Several of the touring Fijians lined up alongside Watton on Tyneside last term.