Former Workington Reds chairman Dale Brotherton says his offer to buy the club's Borough Park ground is for all those who love the football side.

Mr Brotherton was present at an independent meeting on Thursday called by the club's directors to discuss the future of the club.

Just hours earlier, it had been revealed that Mr Brotherton had submitted an undisclosed offer to Allerdale council for the freehold of the site.

He said: "After attending part of the meeting at Borough Park, I was touched upon how much effort is put into the stadium by the hearty band of volunteers who have loved and cherished it down the years.

"It is for people like this, who are unsung heroes, that we have to do whatever possible to ensure their well meaning endeavours are rewarded with a bright future at Borough Park.

"It was heartening to see the evidence of what Borough Park means to everybody and its role in the character of Workington Reds and the love it holds in all our hearts."

At the meeting, directors said they would not jump into any rash decisions and were weighing up all options.

Mr Brotherton's offer, if successful, Workington Reds would be given a 100-year lease upon completion, plus £70,000 to repair and improve the stadium.

He added: "On top of this, the club will also receive a rent-free period of 18 months to aid them further. The rental on the ground will be at a very nominal figure.

"The ground will be placed into a trust to safeguard it for all future generations and two to three people with affiliations to the Reds will be appointed as trustees."

At the meeting, John Mackay, Reds’ joint chairman, said: “I’ve never made a rash decision.

"Dale’s offer may be the best offer this club has, but it may not be. You have to look at all the options.

“What we’re saying is that there could be a much better option and it’s worth the wait to see if that is the case."

Mr Brotherton claimed that he had asked for meetings with the Reds directors six times and "had no meaningful response to these requests."

But Mr McKay said: "I have responded to the vast majority of the emails but neccesarily in the timescales Mr Brotherton asked for.

"Who said what to whom when is irrelevant as a formal offer has been made and is now in the hands of Allerdale council and the board will await the decision.

"If Mr Brotherton is successful, then a meeting will be arranged to see what Mr Brotherton is offering the club.

"If not, then the offer will be increased until a sale is agreed or no sale will take place.

"It is a matter between Mr Brotherton and Allerdale council and is out of the hands of the board of Workington Amateur Football Club.

"There will be no further comment from the club regarding this matter until the outcome of the formal bid is known.

"At the end of the day, we have no jurisdiction over who is our landlord. That is Allerdale's prerogative."