MP hails volunteer impact after spending day at local football club

A visit from the local MP proved just the tonic for Workington AFC as they recorded their first home win of the season against Hyde United.

Goals from Jack Dickinson, Dan Hopper and Steven Rigg secured a 3-2 success for the Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division outfit in front of a crowd of 869, with Josh MacAlister – Labour MP for Workington and Whitehaven – among the jubilant home fans in attendance.

MacAlister used his visit to meet a collection of hard-working volunteers at Borough Park as well as hear updates on the Cumberland Sports Village, the new 3,700-capacity stadium which will house the town’s football and rugby league teams when built.

MacAlister said: “It was a fantastic afternoon of football that showed the very best of our local club - determination, teamwork and pride in the red shirt.

“The energy from the stands played a huge part - the passion and loyalty of Reds fans continue to make Borough Park a special place to be on a Saturday afternoon. A huge thanks too, to all of the volunteers who sell tickets, pour drinks and prepare for matches.

“Grassroots and community clubs like Workington Reds are the heartbeat of our towns, bringing people together week in, week out. I’ll keep championing the role of local sport and the volunteers who make it all possible.”

MacAlister’s visit was organised by NPL partners Pitching In, a grassroots sports funding programme established by Entain, owners of Ladbrokes and Coral.

The programme has donated more than £500,000 to non-league clubs across the country through the Trident Community Foundation since its formation in 2020 and has also established a Volunteer Hub to make people aware of opportunities to support their local football club.

Prospective volunteers can simply enter their postcode to see which clubs in their area could do with a helping hand.

Phil Norman, Workington AFC chair, said: “It was great to see Josh at Borough Park and thanks to Entain’s Pitching In programme for organising the visit.

“Josh managed to meet many of the volunteers at Workington Reds who provide crucial support to the club week in, week out and see first hand some of the vital work they do.

“Thanks also to Josh for helping to bring our first home win of the season as part of a loud and passionate crowd.”

NPL Commercial & Compliance Manager Paul Hatt added: “Saturday’s visit to Workington AFC was another great opportunity for the Trident Leagues to support Pitching In and their Volunteer projects with the visit of local MP Josh MacAlister.

“It was an opportune visit with Workington due to relocate in the New Year to the rugby ground, ahead of the start of construction of the Cumberland Sports Village that will become home to both Workington Reds and the Town’s rugby league side and provide a wonderful facility in the region.

“Josh continues to work with the Club to assist in ensuring the project comes to fruition and it was good to listen to the update with him and members of the Workington board.

“Throughout the day Josh engaged with many of the fans and was enthusiastic in talking to the volunteers at the Club and involving himself in their matchday duties. He was keen to learn about the Pitching In Volunteer Hub and about the TCF grants that Workington received in recent years to set-up a Friday night project for 10-18 year olds and the establishment of a Disability Team.

“The day reinforced how important the Pitching In initiative is in engaging MP’s with their local sports club to fully understand their contribution to the community and the vital role that volunteers play.”

Find volunteering opportunities near you at https://pitchinginvolunteers.co.uk/