Workington Town have added two new faces to the board of directors ahead of their first home game of the League One season.

Graeme Peers and ex-Town coach Gary Murdock have both joined the board, while Murdock has also taken over from Les Ashe as the club’s director of rugby as Town prepare for their clash with North Wales Crusaders at Derwent Park tomorrow (3pm kick off).

Peers said: “I had been assisting the club in the 2018 season and when chairman Les Smallwood asked if I would consider joining the team I jumped at the opportunity.

“I’m delighted to be able to make a positive difference at one of the county’s main sporting clubs and I look forward to making a positive contribution as we analyse all areas of the club so we continue to run professionally and efficiently.”

Peer’s responsibilities will include engaging with local amateur clubs, schools and the West Cumbria Foundation as the club embraces the RFL initiative of making every match day an event.

As well as managing the club website he will work on marketing.

He added: “We want to increase our presence in West Cumbria and become the place to be on Sunday afternoons.

“Our recent work on the design the away kit competition and the community club day that preceded the York City Knights home game last season will be built upon during 2019.”

Les Ashe has stepped down from the director of rugby role he has held over the last two seasons and has been instrumental in changing the club’s relationship with the community game, signing some of the best local talent and experience that combined to take the club to the 2018 play-off final.

Murdock will take on the role but Ashe is set to remain on the club’s board.

“I feel our community links are pivotal to the development of young ambitious players in the area,” Murdock said.

“The recruitment for this season is ongoing and I’m looking forward to working with the board to drive the club forward over the coming season and beyond.

“As a board we’ve committed to working within our set budget and will not jeopardise the stability of the club.

“We have a massive opportunity to reignite the passion for rugby league in West Cumbria as we head towards a new stadium and the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.”

John Walker, who had been a director for three years, has stood down from his role and the club placed on record their thanks.