Workington Town is offering fans a chance to purchase shares and secure the legacy of the historic club.

Directors are launching the new Workington Town Legacy initiative to ensure the future of the club, after recent financial problems. And they hope it will be a big hit with fans, who will have the opportunity to share in the ownership of their club.

Vice chairman Mark Fryer said: “The club, like many in rugby league, are meeting financial challenges. There has been a recent drop in sponsorship and, being a results-driven game, numbers on the gate have fallen short of expectation.

“The new Workington Town Legacy initiative could help to offer a solution. Fans will be given an opportunity to have ownership in Workington Town RLFC by purchasing shares and securing the legacy of this historic community club with a great history.

“We are one of the few clubs below Super League to have a full-time community manager for nine years and an award-winning department under Marnie Jackson. It is vital this legacy continues. In these uncertain times no one can assume the club can carry on.”

Mr Fryer added shares have always been available to request to purchase, but believes there is no better time to offer them to fans.

They are available in blocks of 20 shares at a cost of £5 per share.

He added: “People have realised the seriousness of the situation. If everyone plays a small part it will all add up.”

The second initiative the club is launching is the opportunity to name seats in the grandstand.

This would involve a personalised nameplate attached to the seat.

The club is also setting up a Just Giving page which will be available for donations.

Fryer added: "There have already been fans stepping up to help secure the club's future and we hope many more will take up these fundraising opportunities."