Edmondson won't ask Birks back
Last updated 08:59, Tuesday, 04 March 2008
FORMER skipper Steve Birks won’t be re-joining Workington Reds in their fight to climb back up the Blue Square North table.
Reds boss Darren Edmondson has decided not to make a move for the midfield enforcer, who is being allowed to leave Newcastle Blue Star.
Birks has not played for the Unibond North side for six weeks and manager Tommy Cassidy is prepared for him to move-on.
Edmondson said: “There was a possibility we could have signed Birksy again but after taking everything into consideration I decided not to take the matter further.
“We were disappointed, although not surprised when Steve followed Tommy to Blue Star.
“I feel it is important to stand with the group of players who stayed loyal to the club.”
Changes are taking place at Blue Star and with Birks’ departure imminent, the club has already parted company with Cassidy’s number two Tony Elliott, who followed him from Borough Park in September.
Blue Star have almost slipped out of contention for a play-off place and on Saturday were held 2-2 at home by Ossett Albion.
Workington slipped to a 1-0 home defeat by Boston United to remain sixth from bottom, ten points clear of the relegation zone in Blue Square North.
With only one win and five defeats in their last six games Reds are second bottom of the current form table.
“I couldn’t fault the players for the effort they put in and the football they played. I took some stats for the first time and I’m still trying to work out from them how we managed to lose.
“Certainly it’s something we will be looking at with the players and seeing the areas where we can improve,” said the manager.
Although Edmondson has ruled-out a move for Birks, he is still looking at adding to the squad if he can come-up with the right type of player – possibly a winger.
Reds’ home game with Burscough, which was postponed on Tuesday because of a frozen pitch, has been re-scheduled for Tuesday, April 15.
