Allerdale council have come out in support of the Workington Reds board as they try to secure the future of their Borough Park ground.

The council and the Reds board released a joint-statement last week saying they continue to look into all the options.

This comes after last week’s comments by former Reds chairman Dale Brotherton who claimed the board had “failed to welcome his interest in the club”.

Brotherton is bidding to buy the ground and grant a 100-year lease to Reds for a nominal fee.

In the statement, the council said: “We have been having really positive discussions with Workington Reds on their future plans and we’ve found the board to be very professional and supportive.

“The council’s plans for the area, as a centre of sporting excellence, is encapsulated in the hugely popular state-of-the-art swimming pool and leisure centre. We want to build on this success.

“The council is open-minded about how this can be achieved, and we want the Reds to play a big part in that development.

“We remain strongly committed to ensuring a successful future for the club, and will help them with any plans they have to build better facilities for their supporters, players and visitors.”

The club board added: “Both parties have been working closely for the past few months to secure the long-term future of Workington AFC in the community.

“These discussions have been held in a professional and confidential manner throughout and we are working towards a preferred option that will ensure a sustainable future for the club.

“These discussion are ongoing and details will be released in due course.”