With key signings to strengthen the squad and progress on and off the field things are looking up at Workington Town.

And that is exactly the direction the club is hoping to go in as they begin the 2016 Championship season on Sunday under the leadership of coach Phil Veivers.

Town delighted their fans by securing the signature of charismatic half-back Jarrod Sammut in the close season.

The Maltese international helped to turn Town's season around after joining the club for the latter half of the year and became a firm favourite on the terraces.

And joining him at the Zebra Claims Stadium this year are Aussie forward Oliver Gordon and former Featherstone prop Ryan Verlinden.

Town vice chairman, Mark Fryer, is pleased with how the squad is shaping up and has high hopes for the new additions.

He said: "Jarrod Sammut was always our number one target and he has brought a freshness to the club.

"He is a tough competitor who wants to win and he has challenged the boys and now they understand him.

"Oliver Gordon has played two friendly games and we like what we see, the opposition coaches have certainly taken notice of him."

He added: "He is a big lad and again he is really keen. I believe the quality of the import depends on their attitude and it looks like this guy has the right attitude to succeed.

"Halfway through last season Phil mentioned that Ryan Verlinden would be a good addition to our squad. 

"He was certainly the stand-out performer for Doncaster so we brought him to Workington and I am sure he will make his mark accordingly."

Fryer admitted it might not be the ideal start for Town, with several stars out of action with injury for the opener.

He said: "Our goal is to improve year on year and we have improved the squad on limited finances. We now need to try and keep that squad injury free.

"Unfortunately this year our injuries have come at the start of the season but we have always looked after our players. When they need treatment or operations we have made sure they have got them.

"We have had some players out long term and Graeme Mattinson for example picked up a shoulder injury and needed an operation.

"Graeme has been a talisman for us in recent years and if we can keep players like him fit, it will mean Workington Town will have a pretty successful season."

Fryer also had praise for coach Phil Veivers who he says has been fantastic for the club.

"We always said Phil would challenge us and he has, which is a real positive and I think we have challenged him as well," he explained.

"We've got a really good relationship and I think he will always be a Townie now. He understands what we are about."

And off the field, the community team, led by Marnie Jackson, are upping the profile of the club, getting the rugby league message out to schools and amateur clubs.

"Marnie and the community team are fantastic," said Fryer. "We are in dozens of schools meeting hundreds of pupils with the Sky Try programme and our reading initiatives in primary schools so it is all really positive.

"We have also got a couple of big events at the stadium this year as well, one being the Reboot Festival and another to be announced soon."