WORKINGTON Town have revealed their 2025 squad with 11 new faces and others to be added over the next few weeks.

Nine of last season’s League 1 squad are also back on board and returning coach Jonty Gorley this week took his first training session with them.

Back on board from last year are Zarrin Galea, Jonny Hutton, Ciaran Walker, Stevie Scholey, Jake Bradley, Jack Stephenson, Grant Reid, Dave Eccleston and Ellis Archer.

In a topsy-turvy close season, in which Town and Whitehaven have swapped coaches, there’s also been similar movement among players.

Five of Town’s 11 new signings were with Whitehaven last season and a similar number have gone the other way. Moving from the Ortus Rec to the Fibrus Community Stadium are Rio Corkhill, Will Evans, Ross Ainley, Jamie Doran and Guy Graham.

Ross Ainley joins from WhitehavenRoss Ainley joins from Whitehaven (Image: Ben Challis) Probably the biggest news for the fans was that Town have recruited two players who have been involved in a good standard of rugby league in Australia. Outside back Levi Atiga has been signed from Western Clydesdales who are involved in the Queensland Cup.

He will be joined by his Western Clydesdales team-mate, second row forward Cooper Howlett, who has also been involved in the Queensland Cup.

Town have also been recruiting from the community game with two signed and a third with an agreed contract but who has not as yet been allocated a squad number.

Signed from Kells is half-back Dominic Wear, son of former Town half back Stephen Wear. Dominic has just returned from Australia after a three-week tour with the winning England Community Lions.

Dominic WierDominic Wear (Image: Ben Challis) Joining him is a former National Conference League opponent in the Wath Brow Hornets full-back Cole Walker-Taylor.

The third NCL player recruited is the Wath Brow prop Callum Farrer who was the Hornets players’ player of the year last season. His contract has been agreed but his squad number will be assigned later.

Fans will also be pleased to see that second-row forward Caine Barnes has re-joined the club after a spell out. He went back to his old community side Seaton Rangers but will be back at the Fibrus Community Stadium this season.

Outside back Brad Taylor will remain at the club as part of his recovery from a serious knee injury sustained last season.

Town are also in advanced discussions to bring three more Championship-experienced players to the club.

The club has also invited a number of community players to join on trial and try to earn a contract for 2025.

Jamie Doran returns to town.Jamie Doran returns to town. (Image: Ben Challis)The squad and shirt numbers:

1 Zarrin Galea; 2 Levi Atiga; 3 Rio Corkhill; 4 Will Evans; 5 Jonny Hutton; 6 Ciaran Walker; 7 Dom Wear; 8 Ross Ainley; 9 Jamie Doran; 10 Stevie Scholey; 11 Cooper Howlett; 12 Jake Bradley; 13 Jack Stephenson; 14 Deal Agreed TBC; 15 Cole Walker-Taylor; 16 Guy Graham; 17 Caine Barnes; 18 Deal Agreed TBC; 19 Grant Reid; 20 Dave Eccleston; 21 To Be Assigned ; 22 Ellis Archer.

Workington Town Women's team are kit sponsors for Dave Eccleston in 2025Workington Town Women's team are kit sponsors for Dave Eccleston in 2025 (Image: Ben Challis)

The club sponsors for 2025

 

  • Main playing front of shirt sponsors: Fibrus Broadband.
  • Main stadium sponsor: Fibrus Broadband, extended until November 2025.
  • Main rear shirt sponsors: Lloyd Volkswagen & Lloyd Kia and The Decommissioning Alliance.
  • Shirt sponsors: West Coast Thermal, Lattimers Homes, John Price Painters & Decorators, robinson+co, AA Electrical and Welcome To MKM Lillyhall.
  • Main short sponsors: GT Tyres. Short sponsors: Walton Turf Services.
  • The marquee and fanzone, grandstand and popular side remains sponsored by Ryan, The Northern Competitions.
  • Workington Town Community Trust main sponsors are No Name Travel Ltd and key partners are the Decommissioning Alliance.
  • Workington Town Community Trust manager: Debbie Smith.
  • John Walker from Maryport Bodyworks & MoT Centre Ltd has been thanked for supplying a vehicle for the community trust and becoming a trust partner.

The management structure of the club is as follows:

  • Interim chairman: Graeme Peers.
  • Directors: Kerry Harrison, Mark McSherry, Gary Murdock.
  • Associate directors: Richard West and Wayne Scholey.
  • Director of rugby: Gary Murdock.
  • Recruitment co-ordinator: Ashley Kilpatrick.
  • Head coach: Jonty Gorley.
  • Assistants: Dean Marwood and Carl Forber.
  • Team manager: Mark McSherry.
  • Analysis: Paul Halcrow.
  • First team support staff: Paul Slone and Jimmy Woolaghan.
  • Strength & conditioning: Mathew Johnson.
  • Head physio: Courtney Stephenson.
  • Medical administration: Kerry Harrison and Helen McDowell.
  • Kit manager: Stephen Daniel.
  • Assistant kit manager: Rob Kirkbride.
  • Club chaplain: Ian Grainger.
  • Media manager: Gary McKeating.