The Official History
Years ago when the club was founded, all matches were
played on a friendly basis until the introduction of the
Cumberland Cup in 1885-86.
remained until 1894.
A seven year spell in the Cumberland Senior League followed.Whilst in this league the Reds recorded a
record win over the Cockermouth Crusaders with a score of 17-1.
Lancashire League status was obtained in the year 1901,although,after only two seasons the Reds returned
to the Cumberland Senior League for one year.
From 1904-10 Workington competed in the Lancashire Combination but, in an effort to economise, it was
decided to switch to the North Eastern League. After one season in the year 1910 the club was disbanded,
and went into voluntary liquidation.
Workington Reds AFC was re-founded in 1921 after a 10 year break.
After election to the North Eastern League for the start of the 1921-22 campaign, we commenced the
season with a game at South Shields reserves where we were beaten by a score of 2-1. After our earlier
struggles we eventually finished second in the season of 1938-39.This memorable season in our history
included a run of 18 unbeaten league and cup games.In 1935 and 1937 we won the North Eastern League
Cup and were losing finalists in 1938.On eight occasions the team scored a century of goals with 147 in the
1933 season.
Our complete North Eastern League record was:
Played 923 Won 454 Drew 150 Lost 319 Goals for 2205 Goals against 1667.
this was the date that we made our debut in the Football League at Halifax Town.
Life was a struggle in the early years as an 8-0 defeat was inflicted upon us by Wrexham.
However,after the club stabilised their position we enjoyed some epic battles which are now and forever
part of history.During the 1957-58 season we entertained Manchester United at Borough Park, in the third
round of the FA Cup.The Busby Babes as they were known, included Harry Gregg in goal with Bobby
Charlton and the late great Duncan Edwards who sadly was lost in the Munich Aircrash some days
later.The Reds were never meant to be on the same stage as Sir Matt Busby's Babes but we gave them a
magnificent game until Dennis Violet completed his hat- trick in the second half, running out eventually as
3-1 winners.This game was played in front of 21,000 fans which is a record for Borough Park.During the
1965-66 season we inflicted defeats of 7-0 at home and 6-1 away on Swansea City.
Our most noteable managers during this period of success included such famous names as Joe Harvey and
Bill Shankly whose name is recognized the world over.There was also Keith Burkinshaw who later guided
Spurs to one of their memorable FA Cup wins.Promotion from the 4th division was finally achieved under
the guidance of Ken Furphy who later became employed with the England team.It was also during this era
that the Reds reached the League Cup Quarter finals where we lost to a great West Ham Utd team.The
following season we entertained Chelsea at Borough Park and held them to a 2-2 draw.In the replay at
Stamford Bridge Chelsea were the winners by a score of 2-0. Previously we had beaten Blackburn Rovers
of the first division by a score of 5-1 at Ewood Park and defeated second division Norwich City at
Borough Park.A 9-1 victory over Barrow in 1964 was a League Cup record until it was finally broken in
1983-84 season.
The clubs best season in the FA Cup was the 1933-34 season when as a non league club the Reds
reached the fourth round,only to lose to Preston North End 2-1 at Lonsdale Park.In 1951-52 the team lost
1-0 to Liverpool at Anfield in front of 52,581 spectators.
Several embarrassing cup defeats have been inflicted upon us since then with the team not having
appeared in the first round proper since 1982.
became members of the Northern premier League.
The first home game was against Stafford Rangers where we lost by a score of 3-0. The Reds
struggled to make an impact for the first few seasons, but during 1982-83 campaign the side put together
a run of 14 games without defeat and eventually finished in seventh place.
In the year 2000 the club reached the final of the Presidents Cup beating Marine. In 2003-04 they got
to the final which was a two legged affair.Although the two games ended in a 6-6 tie we lost on the away
goals rule.
By 1986 life had become a struggle and only 11 wins were recorded over two seasons.Relegation to
the newly formed first division was inevitable after a disasterous 1987-88 campaign.Another relegation
followed in 1998 which saw the team become members of the North West Counties League. After
struggling for so many years the events of the 1998-99 campaign were remarkable.The team won their
last 14 games to clinch the title going top for the first time after the final game.It was the clubs first
championship since they were founded some 114 years earlier.Upon winning this title we became the first
club to regain Unibond League status at the first attempt.
the fifth round only to fall against Kettering Town in front of 1600 fans at Borough Park.During the mid
nineties we were away to Rothwell Town where we enjoyed an amazing win by the score of 7-1.
of the North West Counties League.We reached the quarter final where we lost to Bedlington Tigers.
right up to the final hurdle. However we were pipped at the post for the title by Hyde Utd and so we had
to settle for a place in the playoffs.In the semi final Reds disposed of Whitby Town to reach the final
against Farsley Celtic.At the end of the game which was Broadcast around the world by internet the two
sides were level both having failed to score.Both teams now had to go to a penalty shootout .Adam Collin
the Reds Keeper saved three vital penalties and Hewson who had missed most of the season through
injury stepped up to score and win promotion for the Reds to Conference North where we will contest
the new season.
