TOWNIE INTERVIEW!

This week we caught up with Workington Cricket Club star and Townie Callum Moffat!

Hello to all Townies,

Obviously very uncertain and unprecendented times for all but we are taking this opportunity to try and keep you entertained with a variety of different content on the different platforms we have.

This week we caught up with Workington Cricket Club star batsmen and ex-Flimby ARLFC full back Callum Moffat to discuss Town and his view on how things are going at the club in 2020.

How long have you been supporting Workington Town? 
Since I was a child I remember being took all over the place when we had an excellent side around 1993 approximately I'd guess.

How did you become a Townie?
My Dad Derek was a big Town fan obviously and my brother Kristian still is, we like to get to as many games as we can in and around our Cricket commitments. 

This year you sponsor Andrew 'Bruie' Dawson who you've known a long time through his earlier days in youth cricket, yourself and a few other cricket club members sponsor a player each season, why do you feel it's important to support the club?

Yeh we've been a sponsor for roughly 8 years now and think it's just good for us cricket lads that have always gone to watch to just put a little bit extra in. A positive step to strengthen the links developed last season when the Town Board of Directors sponsored one of our games last year, we couldn't get Fui & Calvin out of the practice nets! but yes, it was great to see some support returned, with the likes of Chris, Gus and a few players spending the afternoon with us. The two clubs are on good terms, ex board members Mark Fryer, Butch and Tony Boyd are often down the club too.

All sports clubs in Workington are relatively small and we do rely on each other for support and the income is crucial.

What would be your Town starting 13 from your time watching the club?

My all time best town XVII is difficult as we had an excellent team when I was just a kid but can't say I remember much from then.

1 Mulligan.            
2 Drummond.         
3 Kay.      
4 Burns
5 Miller
6 Sammut
7 Marwood
8 Pickering
9 Limmer
10 Okesene
11 Armstrong
12 B Phillips
13 Hepi

14 Mattinson
15 Fui Fui
16 JT
17 Penrice

That's certainly a strong side with some very strong Cumbrian players in there and a sprinkling of out of county and overseas magic.

Who would be your coach?  

Chris Thorman - I know he's not been here long and other coaches have been successful but I like the playing style and what he's trying to do and the fact he's committed for 3 years shows he cares about the club.

He certainly does Callum, once a Townie always a Townie will certainly apply in this case, a very passionate and professional Rugby League man and that passion is becoming instilled in his team, and when the fans see that passion the connection between fan and player comes naturally.

Who's your favourite current player?  

I'll go with a fellow cricketer and say Elliott Miller. When he's playing it makes a big difference to us, he's a crucial player. Great attitude to defence and a big threat in attack.

Who is your favourite ever Town player?

Colin 'Buck' Armstrong, I'm not sure why exactly but I always remember him being my favourite player as a kid.

What's your normal pre match routine? 

I dont have a pre match routine but when my dad used to take me in the 90s we used to go to WM Low (now Tesco) for a cooked chicken and we'd pick at it throughout the match.

Do you have a lucky item of clothing you wear on matchdays?

No I don't bother with anything like that, I'm a big believer in ability supported by preparation and attitude will see you through most games and you can walk away with your head high regardless of the result.

How do you view the way the club is progressing?

I think since Chris has came in he seems to be taking the team in the right direction with the players he's brought and the style of rugby we're playing and from what I understand he's trying to make an impact off the pitch also. It would be good to see some sustainable links develop.

As for the club, yeh it's making some good progress, the stadium hasn't looked this tidy for a long time, the club shop and online shop are big improvements and communication via facebook and twitter etc are much improved. I know people on the board, I know previous board members and know they work very hard to run our club. 

What would you like to see to improve the club?

A new stadium of some description, I have young children myself and it's important they start to get improved facilities and quickly and more fans would be great. There are loads of rugby league fans/players in West Cumbria yet only a small percentage goes to watch. 

Our crowds have improved with an average attendance of 693 in 2018 in Leon Pryce's first year as attendances climbed alongside an improved performance on the pitch, 2019 saw attendances rise again due to a number of club initiatives including the 'Town takeover days' where local amateur / community clubs are invited to the club for the day resulted in an average attendance of 1013 in 2019, but yes there is obviously scope for more fans.

What in your opinion should the club do to encourage more fans?

1000 at every game would be nice, but even that doesn't make the ground look full, so I would think a no-brainer is to allow all kids who attend with an adult in free. Try and make it a family or child/parent day out where they can spend time together, I like the fact that Spike is out and about on matchdays, simple things that help entertain the kids.

And finally, when we resume what do you view as a good season in 2020?

I think a good season for us will be competing at the back end of the season, get in the playoffs. Every fan wants to see us win the league but it's a strong league and a big ask with how it's becoming more competitive so if we can be up there competing with 4/5 games to go and the Cumbrian fans get behind us then who knows what could happen in the playoffs, we nearly went up with 15 at Swinton and 14 gave it a crack against Newcastle last year.

Thank you Callum for your time, let's hope we all resume our respective sports soon!

Yes, definitely, we usually start in April so obviously that's not going to happen and we're following the advice but yeh hopefully soon. 

Get yourselves down to our home games Townies, it's a great, safe place to spend a Saturday afternoon.

#ourtown