THERE won’t be a prouder rugby league fan in west Cumbria than Anne Wilson at Sunday’s local derby.

For Anne is celebrating her 70th birthday and has been given the honour of leading out the Workington Town team for the big clash with neighbours Whitehaven.

Anne, who has followed Town for over 25 years, is an active member of the Traveller’s Rest Supporters Club.

She says: “It all started as an off-the-cuff remark a few weeks ago when I was asked what I was doing for my 70th. I said I’d lead the team out at Derwent Park.

“It’s gone from there and with my birthday falling on the actual day of the derby I as asked to lead out the team ahead of kick-off.

“I will be really proud to do that, especially ahead of such a big game, and I’m really looking forward to the experience.

“I’ve been told that if I was a mascot I would get to hold someone’s hand, and whose hand would I want to hold. That would be telling!!!!”

The derby is kicking-off at 1-30pm to allow fans to have the opportunity to watch the football World Cup final which starts at 4pm.

Anne’s husband Walter is a big football fan – a season ticket holder at Liverpool – but he was the one who first introduced her to rugby league at Town and she’s now keener than he is,

Whitehaven have won both derby games this season, winning the Ike Southward Memorial Trophy and then taking the League One clash through a last gasp try and conversion. Both games were played at the Recreation Ground.

Town, though, lead their local rivals by two points in the table where they currently lie fifth and sixth, both major contenders for play-off places.