Tribute to football heroes at Workington v Carlisle United

Supporters at the pre-season friendly between Workington Reds and Carlisle United took part in a minute’s applause in memory of David Wilkes and Billy Griffin.

A minute's applause before the game for the great United coach David Wilkes and Reds legend Billy Griffin #cufc @newsandstar pic.twitter.com/9BAM0UROyg

— Jon Colman (@joncolman) July 15, 2023

Legendary United youth coach Wilkes passed away last month aged 59.

Paul Simpson and his United staff pay tribute to David Wilkes and Billy Griffin (Image: Barbara Abbott)

And Griffin, a star inside-forward for Workington in the 1960s, died last week at 82.

Supporters in the 1,523 crowd plus players and officials at Borough Park remembered the two men ahead of the game.

It was the second successive United pre-season fixture where a tribute has been paid to Wilkes.

A similar tribute was staged at Gretna 2008 last Tuesday for the man who was instrumental in bringing through generations of top young players at Brunton Park.

Carlisle directors join in the minute's applause (Image: Barbara Abbott)

Griffin, meanwhile, spent four seasons with Workington in the 1960s, scoring 22 goals in 95 appearances.

He was a crowd favourite at Borough Park with his memorable moments including a free-kick that helped knock Carlisle out of the League Cup in 1967.

Workington paid tribute to Griffin and sent their condolences to his family, with his other clubs, including Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham United, also acknowledging his passing.