Workington Reds have moved to strengthen their board with the addition of six new directors.

Reds had appealed for expressions of interest from people who wanted to join the board late last year and now, following the shock departures of chairman John Mackay and vice-chairman Ross Peacock last Friday, have revealed five of six new additions as Howard Bouch, Chris Root, Phil Norman, Kevin Aitken and David Bowden, with the sixth person still to be named.

Discussions with the group had been in progress for several weeks with Mackay and the board.

A spokesman on behalf of the new directors said: “All our discussions and requests for information were conducted in a professional and transparent manner with John and the board very positive regarding the skills we could potentially bring to the club alongside the current directors.

“It was, therefore, a real surprise when we learned that both John and Ross had resigned but the former has written a personal letter with his best wishes and explaining his reasons for wishing to stand down, which we all understand and completely respect.

“I’m sure we will be able to call on both John’s and Ross’s experience and advice in the future and they’ll still be attending the forthcoming matches.

"They have given so much to the club and deserve praise for their contributions over a period of time.

“In common with all those who want the best for the Reds, we recognise that it’s a pivotal time for Workington Football Club.

"On top of the day to day challenges of running such an organisation – particularly the finances, a real task by itself – the strategy regarding the future stadium facilities needs agreed.

Bouch is a local business owner, a qualified chartered accountant and a Reds fan for more than 60 years.

Root, who is originally from West London but has been based in Cumbria for the last 15 years, is also a chartered accountant and the owner of three residential care homes in the area.

Local man Norman is another lifelong Workington supporter and recently retired from his role as technical service manager for a firm in the area covering the UK and Ireland.

Aitken, a former director of the family business, is already helping on the stadium project team formed by director, Les Byers, having been involved in Borough Park maintenance for the best part of 40 years and part of the construction industry over the same period.

Bowden is a retired managing director with Cumbrian Newspapers Limited and Furness Newspapers Limited. He was also chairman at Workington Town rugby league club for a decade.