When is the season starting?

WILF HARRISON» It has been proposed the first weekend in December, the format still to be decided. The format as per the Rugby League up to the present is for ten teams in Super League and then two divisions of eleven teams. Play off for this is the teams that finished 9-15 last season to play each other home/away, those finishing in the higher places will be in Division 1 and the rest to fall into Division 2 with the lower end of last years NFP. But nothing is cut and dried as things are still going on and will not be finalised until the meeting on the 3rd October 2001

Do you not feel two divisions are more beneficial but if down to three is there no better way to decide?

JOHN DONOVAN» We are sympathetic to you as supporters and we have voiced our views but at the end of the day we will be overruled by the majority.

What is our plans on/off the field?

GARY MURDOCK» On the field is the same as last year - we are aiming for a top eight position. We are also trying to get a youth structure in place, we have found a different source of income to support this and hope to develop this side further.
ALAN VARTY» Off the field, we are turning the old Gym into an Office block, Kitchen, Eating-place for players after matches. Altering of the V.I.P Lounge, and toilets in Derwent Lounge.
JD» We are hoping to extend our corporate hospitality in the V.I.P. for guests, sponsors visitors etc., as it has been difficult with players having their food in there amongst the sponsors etc. we can now look to improving these facilities and upgrading this side to hopefully win over more sponsorships. People have asked about toilets on the Popular Side, the reason for the Portaloos is merely because there are no sewers over there for us to build conventional toilets. Re-roofing of the grandstand, up to press we have had quotes from £90,000 up to £300,000.

Some clubs are struggling. Can we survive in Division 2?

JD» No, we couldn't. I know this is blunt but as supporters you all know the score.

Can you tell us who you have signed or are looking to sign?

GM» I have spoken to numerous players. We have a budget, and there is money there, but it is difficult to get players here. I am in touch with Australia/New Zealand and all over this country, but it is very quiet at the moment. We require a Half-back and winger/centre.

We need to concentrate on the young ones at the moment, advertise the forthcoming matches and get people interested.

GM» I agree, there are moves afoot to scrap the 'A' Team and Academy but make a U.19 with two U.23 players.

What about the players coming into the first team through the 'A' team£

GM» Cost. We can't afford an 'A' team. To keep an 'A' Team, payments are horrendous. We are looking to have 25 quality players.
JD» We did not use the 'A' team as a step in to the first team last year.

How do you see how good a player is i.e. the likes of Stephen Wood if we have no 'A' team to try them out?

GM» Take a gamble with the signings, put them into first team and give them a good grounding i.e. sink or swim. Because Super League has decided to scrap 'A' Teams some will be using NFP teams as feeders. Circulars were sent round clubs about some clubs would probably use Super League players for the play offs for the NFP.

Does the RL want Town in the structure? Other teams do not like coming here, preferring a 20-30 mile radius.

GM» It makes you wonder, as the original plan was top eight 1st division and bottom eleven 2nd division, but then the outcome of Keighley being dropped into 2nd division it made it certain as we were ninth we would be in the 1st division but the goal posts were moved again.
WH» Sir Rodney Walker is supposed to be realigning Rugby League and is opting for summer rugby. The NFP voted for winter rugby but he dangled a carrot of mega money from T.V. but the promises have not been forthcoming. Wilf said he would certainly be carrying on fighting.

Have the directors taken a pay cut the same as the players?

GEOFF TUBMAN» They will only be putting half the money next year that they put in previously (This was a joke!) It will be a struggle but they will continue as usual. They have negotiated a contract with Speedway for the next two years.

RL looks to be planning on killing off some teams. Why not just go for survival, not pay out silly contracts, keep within budget and wait for the crash of others?

JD» That is what we are doing SURVIVING! We have a budget but need you to keep supporting us by turning up to matches, maybe even bring along a friend because it would be better having 2000 through the gates than 1000. We are moderating our plans, for example the roof repairs we talked about earlier.

How do you keep a squad of 25 happy when you only play 17?

GM» All the players we are signing and that includes Craig Barker who, I am sure, after the injury crisis he had last year is overcome will be a 1st team player. If they are not capable to play 1st team they will not be kept and will be returned to amateur and possible looked at in the future as not all people advance in the same way, some take longer and if I did not think the likes of Craig were not good enough to play 1st team rugby they would not be signing.

Can we have an update on Wilma?

GM» Wilma has had a second operation this week, a full knee construction, and it will be at least nine months before he will be able to train therefore he will most certainly not be playing next season.

What was the RL's response over the London franchise?

WILF» My opinion is that Super League should come to Cumbria and this was an opportunity but there was no response at all came back from RL. Leigh was actually offered the franchise free of charge but there were strings attached.

What is happening about the training ground and Tesco?

JD» Tesco are still wanting to expand. November last year there was a three way meeting Tesco/Allerdale/Workington Town. Tesco are wanting the freehold, which is owned by Allerdale. The meeting was frustrating as they keep bringing up about the first piece of land sold and that Workington Town did not do what was specified then. There was I believe about six things stipulated to do and the only item not fulfilled was a modern athletics track around the field. We will only be willing to sell if it will be beneficial to Workington Town.

Does the board feel that Speedway has been beneficial or taken supporters away?

WILF» We are of the opinion that it has hit us on the supporters side, but at the present moment we would struggle without them.

Is Friday nights matches not more appropriate as it being the start of the weekend and we would get the first bit of the apple so to say of people's money?

JD» We have looked into this possibility but you have to think about the opposition travelling here and what we think ourselves of travelling away to night matches, it really is not fair to away teams.

Why are we offloading players such as Matthew Woodcock who played well last season?

ALAN VARTY» Matthew has been released on his own request, as he could not make training due to him being on a course at Leeds. He has stipulated he would return when his circumstances change.
GM» All players that we have released are surplus to requirements.

We would like to see more on the back page of the paper each night

GM» Martin Morgan rings me every day during the season asking for any news and even in the close season he rings regularly. Martin himself said he would like to have a Workington Town story every night to put in the Workington edition of the Times and Star.

Is Barry Eaton still on the cards to sign?

GM» There are four offers on the table at the moment for Barry and as we always says 'money talks' but as he instigated the talks with us and not the over way around we are hopeful. It is a week/week and half since I spoke to him the reason being I have left him to think over the offers and know he will come back to me when he has made his decision.

How about overseas players, are we looking at any?

GM» You know it is not compulsory to have an overseas player, but we have received videos, c.v.'s and we have scouts looking for players for us.