Whitehaven have added to the Recreation Ground boardroom by appointing two new directors – who have quickly been immersed in plans for life in League One.

Life-long fans Jeff Stephenson and Ricky Benson attended their first board- meeting on Monday when discussions centred on the 2017 budget and a new coach.

Chairman Tommy Todd said: “That takes the number of directors up to nine and these days you need them.

“Volunteers are getting harder to find and directors prepared to work in the best interests of the club are so valuable.

“They will also bring new ideas and initiatives to the club which we look forward to developing over the coming years.”

Haven have still not finalised things for next season, although negotiations have advanced and the club does hope to make an announcement later this week.

“Monday’s meeting lasted over three hours and progress has been made. A lot of it now is finding a fit for the budget with the new coach,” added Todd.

It does look as though both Haven and neighbours Workington Town will be cutting their budgets considerably from this season, and as a consequence will be competing against one another for top amateurs in the area.

This will all make for an interesting autumn/winter period when the two clubs put together changed squads for the start of League One.

Scotland have announced that they will play a Cumbria Select XIII on Friday, October 21, at Barrow (7pm ko).

The game will be a warm-up for the Four Nations and part of the testimonial for Barrow stalwart Liam Harrison.

Town and Haven players are expected to be in the squad which is yet to be announced.