REDS BOSS Danny Grainger will leave Borough Park to pursue a career opportunity “too good to refuse,” the supporters club are sad to see him go but expected the ex-Carlisle United skipper to climb the ranks.

Workington AFC announced yesterday that first team manager and former Carlisle United skipper Danny Grainger will leave the club, a departure that will be a shock to many.

Chairman David Bowden said: “It’s a great sadness for us all that this has happened. Danny is an ambitious and talented coach and we always expected that he would attract attention.

“We never anticipated that this would happen quite so quickly, particularly after signing a longer contract, but our relationship with Danny is strong and we have no wish to stand in his way.”

Grainger and assistant coach Steve Rudd signed new two and a half year deals in February. Grainger said: “It’s with great regret that I will be leaving my role as first team manager at Workington Reds.

“I will be forever in debt to the board, players, fans, staff and volunteers for their total support and I would like to place on record my thanks to them all. I have received an offer that I didn’t think would come along and it’s an opportunity that myself or my family can’t turn down."

“It goes without saying that the last 18 months has been a challenge for the fans and the football club, but I leave knowing myself, my staff and the board have laid the foundations for the long-term stability and success at Workington Reds.

“Finally, Workington Reds will always hold a special place in mine and my family’s heart for the opportunities they have afforded me, and I really wish all connected with the club the very best moving forward.”

Grainger has made a huge impact on the club despite having two seasons curtailed by the Coronavirus pandemic.

He has worked with development squad boss Brian Dawson to instil a no nonsense style of play in Reds that runs from the youngest players right up to the first team.

Liam Irving of Reds Independent Supporters Club said: "We're obviously gutted about it, he's been the best thing to happen to the club in the last 10 years.

"But we knew this day would come eventually. We knew he wouldn't be around forever."

He added that the Coronavirus pandemic has robbed Grainger of the success he deserved.

"He's not got the record he deserved. There's nothing but good wishes from us he's actually messaged us which he didn't really have to do, I can't imagine that happens at a lot of clubs."