Last updated at 11:37, Thursday, 28 February 2013

Workington Town are preparing for their largest crowd of the season so far when the first big Cumbrian derby of the season takes place at Derwent Park on Sunday.

Dave Bowden

Town entertain Barrow Raiders who haven’t had a win in their four starts and languish at the bottom of the Championship table with just two points, three adrift of Workington. And Town are hoping for a crowd well in excess of the 1,000 who turned out for the first league game of the season against Halifax.

“That 1,000 attendance against Halifax is now a benchmark and we are hopeful of a crowd well above that on Sunday,” said former chairman Dave Bowden.

“It was a pleasing start to the season and we will be hoping to see crowds over 1,000 for games against the likes of Featherstone and Leigh, while the derby games should be a lot more.”

Town averaged 892 at home last season, a great improvement of 309 on the 2011 average gate. Their highest attendance in 2012 was early in the season when 1,954 paid to watch the Town v Haven clash.

Bowden added: “It would be good to see another significant rise in the average home gate this year.

“While taking nothing away from Championship One rugby, because it has improved no end over the last few seasons, when we are playing the more traditional clubs we hope the fans will return to watch.

“I just hope they will come back to see those traditional teams and the exciting rugby Town are playing.

“I know from the feedback that the fans appreciate the recent ground improvements, especially in the bar areas. It’s a nice place to go for a drink before and after the game now and it makes a very pleasurable spectator experience.

“A good crowd builds a good atmosphere and spurs the players on. And we appreciate every single one of them.“

First published at 11:33, Thursday, 28 February 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk