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Academy Star Picked For Great Britain

Seaton youngster Steven Wallace has spoken of his pride following his selection for the Great Britain under-18 Lions team.

The powerful forward was one of the outstanding players in Workington Town Academy's terrific run earlier this year.

He was so highly thought of by the Town management team that he was called up to the Alliance side, where he still looked comfortable.

Last weekend he travelled to Barrow for training with the north area team, then went on to Ormskirk to take on the London/South/Wales team.

He put in an inspirational performance in their 40-8 win, and heard on Sunday that he had been selected for the Great Britain team to take on the French at the Cumbria Sports Academy on November 23.

Steven said: "The game went really well and I thought I had played well enough but it was a nervous wait until I got the phone call saying I had been selected.

"I was at Blackpool and my dad phoned to say I had been picked and I had a drink or two down there to celebrate.

"I have always wanted to play for Great Britain so it is a great honour and I can't wait for the game. I will have a lot of friends and family there watching me so it should be a big occasion."

Steven will still be young enough for the Barla under-18 side to tour Australia next year, and that is what he is aiming for.

He is playing exceptionally well for Seaton, and Workington Town coach Gary Murdock, a big fan of the youngster, would love to sign him on professional forms.

Wallace was the only player from Allerdale to travel to Barrow for the trials. Both Craig Rumney and Tony Roper were invited to the trial with the goal of a Great Britain cap but both opted not to make the journey.

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Murdock's Impressed By Student James

Workington Town coach Gary Murdock is hopeful of signing student star James McKay after the youngster impressed while on trial.

The second row forward has been training with Town since returning from a three match tour of the United States last month with the Emerging Great Britain Students squad.

The 22-year-old, who plays for Carlisle amateur side St Nicholas Arms, has impressed Murdock in training and he will speak to the player shortly about a possible deal.

He said: "He is a big strong lad but what has really impressed me is that he is keen as mustard to play the game.

"He is working hard and has fitted in really well, and to be honest I would sign him now on what I have seen, but it is still early doors and we have got to see if it is worth it for both parties.

"He can play at prop or the back row where we need cover and he is enjoying it so we will see over the next few weeks."

Town line up friendly with Leigh

Town have lined up a pre-season friendly with last season's losing NFP Grand Finalists Leigh Centurions.

The match will take place at Derwent Park on Sunday November 12th or Friday November 17th, subject to confirmation.

The match will be an opportunity for Town fans to see our new players on show. Town will virtually have a full squad together a month before the season starts.

Coach Gary Murdock has deliberately opted for a tough opener to fully test the squad.

"Last year we played the Scottish Students in a friendly and won easily, and then lost our first seven league games. No disrespect to the students, but we learned nothing from that."

"This is a cracking friendly. We have strengthened and are going forward, but it is scary to see who other teams are signing" said Gary Murdock.

The game will be played in four quarters to give both coaches a chance to look at as many players as possible.

The place to be

The number one target is raising the club's profile and they have appointed player Mickey Horner to lead their marketing campaign.

Town have made giant strides over the past three years since the club went into administration. At that time it owed £1.2 million, but a team lead by Kenny Wilson approached businessmen to help out and so the efforts started.

It hasn't been easy for the board however. In the first year of the cash windfall provided by BSkyB, Town received £90,000 but were deducted £20,000 for administration costs. At the same time Whitehaven in a higher division got £380,000

"We are trying to be as positive as we can about things and we are sure the fans will get behind us," said Mike Cunningham. More