FAN SUPPORT has been called “invaluable” by Workington AFC after news that its independent supporters club has raised over £10,300 for the side since March 2020.

Workington Reds Independent Supporters Club, or RISC, has raised and donated the funds in less than a year and they have already raised £1,500 for the next donation.

A spokesperson for Reds said: “Fund raising is never easy but making a success of it during the most difficult period the country has lived through since the Second World War is commendable and in our case, absolutely vital.”

Fundraising activity from the supporters club has included the auctioning of football shirts signed by Glenn Murray and Will Vaulks.

Maryport born Murray played for Reds in 2002 and 2004 before going on to clubs like Carlisle United, Crystal Palace and now Watford FC.

Their weekly score-cast competition has proven popular with fans who pay a donation to predict the scores of upcoming games.

Member of RISC Liam Irving said: “When the pandemic kicked in, in March all their income streams stopped. Non-league football doesn’t have the TV income of big clubs.

“A lot of us had been furloughed, we started helping out at the ground, just offering to do odd jobs, I think a lot of it came from having more free time.”

Fans of Workington have used the extra time to support their side and it is appreciated by Reds bosses.

“It’s been a big group effort. We have a lot of contact with the chairman and the directors. We all have a vested interest in keeping the club going.

“They couldn’t thank us enough.”

Chairman David Bowden said: “I’ve said on many occasions the effects of the pandemic has highlighted not only just how important our club is to the Community but also how important our supporters are to the club.

“There has been a tremendous amount of goodwill and financial support from all our fans who supported the virtual replay of the Reds v Man Utd game and the “Save Shankly’s Reds promotion” and we are hoping that the recently launched “Centenary Club initiative will also be successful, the signs are promising.

"This has contributed massively to ensuring the club can survive."

Bowden said: “But amongst all of this one group of fans stand out, The Reds Independent Supporters club.

"They are a very important part of the club in two key areas The vocal support they give to the team, especially at away games is appreciated by all the players and yes they do enjoy themselves it’s fair to say, enough about that!"

Bowden said: “The other key area is fund raising, they are relentless in discovering new ways to raise much needed funds for the club they care so much about. In excess of £10k has been contributed in recent times, a serious sum of money.

“It was much needed and is likely to continue to be needed as we recover from the impacts of this pandemic on the our club and the game in general. Even in the last week yet another idea is being rolled out.”