Hope springs eternal at Derwent Park as Workington Town get set for a new League 1 campaign under the leadership of Chris Thorman.

Last season proved a mixed bag for Town as they changed leadership midway through the year with Leon Pryce departing the hot seat, making way for a fresh set of ideas from Thorman.

And despite all the upheaval the players knuckled down to earn themselves a place in the play-offs.

In the end tired bodies and injuries meant Town had to travel to take on Newcastle Thunder with a depleted side and they paid the price.

But they certainly left the play-offs with their heads held high after a spirited fightback against their hosts just fell short.

The year began well for Town, who had high hopes following a demanding play-off campaign the previous year which saw them reach the final before losing out.

They recorded two victories in the opening two fixtures of the season, against Oldham away and then at home to North Wales Crusaders.

Experienced international Sam Hopkins was brought in to bulk up the pack but they were hit by an injury to Ryan Fieldhouse and then lost their 100 per cent record in a tight clash at Doncaster.

A break from league action came next as Workington moved into the fourth round of the Coral Challenge Cup after beating Siddal but they found it hard going at Derwent Park.

But even at this point in the season injuries were starting to take their toll so the return of Fuifui Moimoi after serving his ban, was a welcome sight.

An exciting double header of league and cup was then served up against Newcastle Thunder.

Town just edged part one by the narrowest of margins at Derwent Park 32-30 after coming back from an 18-0 deficit.

And then they won the cup clash by an even narrower margin, a drop-goal from the boot of Jamie Doran proving the difference.

Back to the league and a nightmare trip to the capital saw Town lose out by two points to London Skolars after a nightmare second half performance. This did not bode well with the Rhinos being the next opponents.

Although they were not having the best of seasons themselves at that point in time, they proved way too strong for Town.

It may have looked like an annihilation on the scoreboard but what was more important was the spirit in the supporters.

A large bunch of hardy followers were heard at Headingley throughout in full voice, bringing back memories of the better days, when Town went up against top teams on a regular basis.

Just before the game, the club was handed a huge blow with in-form centre Elliott Miller being ruled out for several months with a full shoulder reconstruction, and he was to prove a big miss in the months to come.

The Good Friday derby then loomed on the horizon with all to play for, but it was Haven celebrating at the final whistle.

And just days later, Town parted company with head coach Leon Pryce, and turned to skipper Ollie Wilkes as interim chief.

He called on the club to unite during the rocky period as the ladies committee also folded.

Town put up a feisty display but went under to Keighley Cougars 32-26 and the club then announced Chris Thorman as the new man to lead them forward.

It started well for Thorman with a win over Hunslet in the 1895 Cup, but in the league Town then slipped up at Coventry before recording a second win over Hunslet in a month.

Talented young hooker Blain Marwood was brought in on trial as Thorman looked to build a young and predominantly Cumbrian side.

And he certainly impressed, going on to win a full contract at the end of his four-week spell.

There was a change of scene for Town as they headed over the road to their former home Borough Park while their own pitch was reseeded.

And when the second derby day came around in August, Town proved a better match for their hosts Haven as they held the eventual League 1 winners to a 12-12 draw.

Carl Forber broke the club’s all-time points-scoring record after nearly 40 years. The previous record, held by Iain MacCorquodale, was 1,800 points set by the prolific kicker between 1972 and 1980.

But that tally was smashed by the 34-year-old, with the record-breaking points scored in Town’s 32-24 win at Hunslet in September.

The season came to an end with a 14-man Workington side losing out to Newcastle Thunder in their League One play-off eliminator.

Town may have slipped up in the campaign but Thorman has clear ideas of where he would like the team to go and they are bringing some talented young Cumbrians into the set-up for next season, along with some more experienced heads

So the future looks bright and hopefully this will be the year that sees Town elevated back into the Championship.