All roads lead to Sheffield on Sunday, a most important venue for the Town Army; can we rock the Don Valley as never before?

It is a spacious arena that has seen the likes of Tina Turner and the Spice Girls in action. If the Townies are there in large numbers, and big voices, then Sheffield will surely shake. And the locals will probably appreciate the Workington based, more tuneful, melodies - errrI'm sure?

The Eagles actually did us a great favour last week, in their battle of the 'birds', by shocking the Robins at Craven Park although you would always expect a huge bird of prey to subdue a red-breasted one wouldn't you (unless it was of Jordan proportions).

Gary Wilkinson, the Hull K.R. Senior coach has, down the years, become quite a good friend of mine. Primarily via meetings on Academy business. However I will shed no tears for this true gentleman of the game if we eventually oust his charges from the top eight.

Mind you let's quickly sober up and set our minds steadfastly on the undoubted task that the beating of Sheffield will be on Sunday.

It is a very, very, significant match for Workington Towns 2001 season, maybe not the pinnacle as all may yet come down to happenings next week when the Dragons are in town.

But to make sure of abating any finger gnawing anxieties we need to be celebrating the win come hooter time this Sunday.

The recent spate of injuries copped by some of the lads is a major concern at present. Hopefully most will have been superficial enough to enable Gary to select a strong line up.

I had a quick word with Bomber on Tuesday, he was upbeat about his own damage and also quietly confident that he may yet surprise us all - following that Chorley ambulance trip - by at least making the donny match. Such commendable spirit within the Town ranks augurs well for this final lap of a very rigorous season.

And it is without doubt a spirit that can gain momentum if you, the loyal fans, support with added vigour, the Workington team at Sheffield - forget about next Sunday at Derwent Park, for now, and head South this weekend.

Now having taken one of my multipurpose pills - well I suffer so many pains you see, mostly in the neck. I will temporarily calm down from thoughts of Sundays' business to add a word or two about another recently well reported issue i.e. the Cumbrian county team.

An almost obsolete outfit who have been championed by some as worthy of inclusion in the revamped 'origin series'. I don't like to be too controversial (honest!) but come on folks in these modern times Cumbria cannot successfully compete with the big guns of the Pennines.

I well remember the days when we did however. Mainly from my early days as a Townie back in the 1960's. But also in those days Workington and Barrow and, spasmodically, even little Whitehaven could regularly meet and beat the best of the top-flight British RL teams.

Many Cumbrians - especially forwards - were tempted, by the big bucks on offer, to ply their trade in some Lanky and Yorky teams during that period.

Great days those, the county clashes drew crowds of six, seven, and yes even eight thousand here in Cumbria. I recall one match versus the touring Kangaroos (1967?) when Cumberland made national headlines by beating a test strength Aussie team.

But please don't think I am not loyal to my birth place by saying this - sorry folks, I just cannot see those halcyon days ever being repeated.

By the way, you can contact me with your views via the address in the top right hand corner of this page. Thank you,
K.S.

PS. See you at the Don Valley?????