Reds look to the future after launching a player development scheme

Reds in the Community is a new venture by the club, in partnership with former player Brian Dawson.

And it will see Reds engage with youngsters across west Cumbria, providing PE lessons in schools, football camps and a performance centre for gifted players.

Reds director Ross Peacock said they were keen to make Workington Reds the club local youngsters wanted to play for.

“We’re very excited and proud to announce that we are kicking off Reds in the Community,” he said.

“We’ve been working with Brian Dawson to develop this over the last few months. It’s a venture that we hope will put us in contact with hundreds and thousands of young people on a regular basis.

“To begin with, the performance centre will be Under-8s to Under-13s but over time, we hope to develop a pathway right the way through to the first team.

“We desperately want the youngsters of this area to look at Workington Reds first and foremost, boys and girls, we want to be the place children look to and aspire to play for us.”

Dawson last pulled on a Workington shirt back in 2004 but he says all roads have led him back to Borough Park.

He hopes to build on the success he has found in the south of Copeland with his business Onside Sports, which will become a part of RITC later this year.

“We’re looking to try and generate a brand and a business that brings people to Borough Park,” said Dawson.

“When we are doing activities, be it after school clubs or holiday camps, we will give tickets to kids to bring along parents and try and get the good times back here.

“The more successful we are off the pitch, hopefully it will transfer on the pitch.”

Dawson went into coaching after hanging up his boots and, as well as his Cumbrian business, he has also had a couple of spells in America.

“All roads lead to here, this is the next step for me in a coaching and business capacity,” he added.

“With the help of Workington Reds and the board, we can create a very good partnership.

“We hope to start in September, which gives us time to speak to schools and get the word out there, then we can try to hit the ground running in September.”